WATCH: Jonny Bairstow sledges Kusal Mendis during England vs Sri Lanka match in ODI World Cup 2023

Kusal Mendis led Sri Lanka to win their second game of the ODI World Cup 2023 campaign. The win puts the 1996 World Cup winners into fifth place in the points table. With their backs against the wall, while defending a measly 157, England tried everything. This included Jonny Bairstow sledging the Sri Lankan skipper.

The Sri Lankans beat England by eight wickets in Bengaluru on Thursday. It was a comprehensive win for the Lankans as they got to the target with 24.2 overs left to play. England on the other hand will go to Lucknow to play India on Sunday knowing their tournament is as good as done.

Dasun Shanaka was injured during the game versus Pakistan in Hyderabad. This was the same game in which Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan had scored tons to chase down 345 runs.

Jonny Bairstow gets under the skin of Kusal Mendis –

England was defending a mere 157-run target in Bengaluru on Thursday. Jos Buttler and his team knew they needed early wickets to stay in the contest. David Willey got the wicket of Kusal Perera for four caught by Ben Stokes to give the English team some hope.

Kusal Mendis the Sri Lankan skipper strode out to the wicket and hit two sweetly timed boundaries. It was key to get the Lankan out early as he has been the leading batter for his side this tournament.

While Chris Woakes was walking back to his mark, the replays showed Jonny Bairstow walking to Kusal Mendis. The two players had a frank exchange of words as Bairstow was seen saying something to Mendis.

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— Cricket Dekh Lo (@Hanji_CricDekho) October 26, 2023

The 28-year-old was seen responding to the comments made by the English batter. The incident in question happened in the 3^rd over with Kusal Mendis having just opened his account with a boundary.

This ODI World Cup 2023 began well for Kusal Mendis with 76 versus South Africa in New Delhi. This was followed by 122 versus Pakistan in yet another losing effort in Hyderabad. The last three games have seen Mendis score just 31 runs but the Sri Lanka skipper has seen his team fortunes change.

Sri Lanka will next play Afghanistan this coming Monday the 30^th of October in Pune. If either team wins the game they will have an outside chance of making it through to the ODI World Cup 2023 semifinals.