Kusal Mendis breaks silence on his reluctance to congratulate Virat Kohli after his 49th ODI Century

Virat Kohli the former Indian skipper was the cynosure of all eyes during the India versus South Africa game in Kolkata. India won the game by 243 runs thanks to Kohli’s 101 not out and Ravindra Jadeja’s 5/33. The century was the 49^th ODI ton for the former Indian skipper.

Sachin Tendulkar had scored 49 ODI centuries for India before his retirement in late 2012 from the format. Kohli was also celebrating his 35^th birthday during the game on what turned out to be a special day for the Indian batter.

After the game, there was huge outrage amongst the Kohli fans as Kusal Mendis didn’t congratulate the 35-year-old. The entire incident happened before Sri Lanka’s game against Bangladesh the next day in New Delhi.

Kusal Mendis regrets not congratulating Virat Kohli on his special feat –

Sri Lankan star batter and the stand-in skipper during ODI World Cup 2023, Kusal Mendis was under fire from the Indian fans. The reason was that the 29-year-old did not wish Virat Kohli to score his 49^th ODI Century.

Speaking about the incident, Kusal Mendis said “ I wasn’t aware that Virat Kohli had scored his 49^th ODI century. The journalist suddenly asked the question and I didn’t understand the question. Scoring 49 hundreds isn’t easy,. What I said was wrong, I’m feeling for it”.

Kusal Mendis was addressing the media ahead of the Bangladesh versus Sri Lanka game on 6^th November in New Delhi. The question turned to former Indian skipper Virat Kohli who scored the 49^th century to equal the record with the great Sachin Tendulkar.

One journalist asked the Sri Lankan skipper if he would like to congratulate Virat Kohli on this special feat. Kusal Mendis looked quizzically at the scribe and said “Why should I congratulate”

Post this incident many Indian cricket fans especially Virat Kohli supporters saw red. They trolled the Sri Lankan batting star over his comments on social media. It has been a miserable few days for the Sri Lankan Cricket Team.

#INDvsSA srilanka captain kusal Mendis about Virat Kohli 49 th century pic.twitter.com/82mPZUPvt5

— jogarao (@AjithPaila) November 6, 2023

The once-powerful side finished in 8^th place after just winning two games during the ODI World Cup 2023 tournament. Just a day after their final game versus New Zealand, there was more bad news. It came to light that the Sri Lankan Cricket Board’s membership with the Apex Cricket Body was suspended due to outside interference.