Kusal Mendis avoids questions on his IPL absence despite blazing form in PSL 2026, letting his performances with the bat do the talking as he leads the tournament’s run charts.
Kusal Mendis recently maintained a deliberate silence when confronted with provocative questions regarding his lack of an IPL contract during the PSL 2026 season. During a post-match press conference in Karachi on 11 April 2026, a journalist asked Mendis if he regretted leaving the PSL midway through the 2025 season to join the Gujarat Titans as a replacement player, only to then go unsold for the IPL 2026 season.
Mendis did not verbally answer the question, choosing instead to respond with an awkward laugh and remained silent until the next question was taken. A media manager for Peshawar Zalmi quickly intervened, urging reporters to keep questions focused on his team's performance and the PSL tournament.Mendis had been a replacement for Jos Buttler at Gujarat Titans in May 2025, but was released and subsequently went unsold at the IPL mini-auction in December.
Despite the lack of an IPL deal, he is currently the leading run-scorer in PSL 2026, with 241 runs in four innings at an average of 60.25.
🚨 Journalist - "Last year you withdrew from the PSL to play IPL midway of the tournament. This year they didn't pick you. Don't you have any regrets for leaving PSL"? - Kusal Mendis remained silent. pic.twitter.com/k0B2GjCMsG
— Abdullah. (@Abdullahh_56) April 11, 2026
Kusal Mendis stuns at PSL
Kusal Mendis is currently the leading run-scorer of PSL 2026, amassing 241 runs in four innings for Peshawar Zalmi. Playing as a top-order wicketkeeper-batter, he has maintained a dominant average of 60.25 and an explosive strike rate of 172.14. On 9 April 2026, Mendis became the first Sri Lankan to score a PSL century, smashing 109 off 52 balls against Karachi Kings. He reached the milestone in just 48 deliveries, making it the fastest century in Peshawar Zalmi's history.
During his century knock, he shared a 191-run stand with captain Babar Azam, the highest partnership for any wicket in PSL history.Following his century, he anchored another victory with a brisk 74 off 48 balls against Lahore Qalandars on 11 April.He currently leads the charts for most runs (241) and is the second-highest six-hitter in the tournament.
Mendis's current form is a significant carryover from his successful 2026 T20 World Cup campaign, where he scored 197 runs at an average of 39.40.
