Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis did not respond to a question related to the IPL after a PSL 2026 match against Lahore Qalandars on Saturday at the National Stadium in Karachi. In a video shared on social media, a person, perhaps the media manager of Peshawar Zalmi, is also heard asking the reporter to keep questions limited to PSL 2026.Mendis, who is playing for Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 2026, was asked by a reporter about his decision last year to leave the Pakistan Super League and join the IPL. The reporter questioned whether he had any “regrets” about joining Gujarat Titans during the season despite being part of Quetta Gladiators. The question drew a reaction from Mendis, but he did not answer.Mendis, who was signed by Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL player auction in February for PKR 4.2 crore, was speaking after his team’s 76-run win over Lahore Qalandars in Karachi. The 31-year-old scored 74 off 48 balls and was named Player of the Match.“Last year, you withdrew from Pakistan Super League to play for Gujarat Titans midway through the tournament. And you showed some security concerns. And now Pakistan Super League (is) giving you respect again and they (Gujarat Titans) did not pick you again. So, (do) you have any regret about withdrawing from Pakistan Super League previous year?” the reporter asked Mendis.Mendis did not respond. “It is a PSL question, sir,” the journalist said when asked by the media manager to keep the question limited to Zalmi’s performance or the PSL.Both the IPL and the PSL were stopped last year due to the armed conflict between India and Pakistan following a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.With several overseas players not returning for the remaining matches in both leagues, teams had to sign replacements. In the IPL, franchises were allowed to sign temporary replacements for the rest of the season, but those players could not be retained for the mini auction in December and had to enter the player pool again.Mendis joined Gujarat Titans as a replacement for Jos Buttler, who left for national duty in May. The 2022 champions signed him for Rs 75 lakh. It was his first IPL stint, and he made his debut in the Eliminator against Mumbai Indians, scoring 20 off 10 balls.Mendis later went unsold at the IPL mini auction held in Abu Dhabi in December.
