ENG vs SL | Twitter in disbelief as Kusal Mendis performs bizarre 'stumping' at non-striker's end
Quick reactions and high game awareness are the trademarks of any world-class wicket-keeper. Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis proved he belongs to that elite list of glovemen on Thursday with an unexpected bullet throw at the non-striker’s end after a wide to send a shocked Adil Rashid packing.
England crumbled like a house of cards at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in a practically must-win encounter against Sri Lanka after opting to bat first. Their total of 156 was the lowest ever all-out score in an ODI at the venue and while some quality bowling was the larger cause of their demise, the reigning champions also had themselves to blame for a careless approach to the innings. Their irresponsible attitude was truly epitomised by the way Adil Rashid lost his wicket in the 32nd over in what was the second run-out of the innings.
Rashid was at the non-striker’s end while David Willey faced a threatening-looking Maheesh Theekshana. The spinner delivered what was supposed to be the last ball of the over wide down the southpaw’s legs as Kusal Mendis moved swiftly behind the stumps to collect the Kookaburra cleanly. The action for the ball seemed to be done and dusted when Mendis fired in a throw towards the bowler’s stumps out of the blue. The stand-in skipper of the Lions had noticed Rashid, after straying outside the crease while backing up, had not bothered to return within the lines in the follow-up and took advantage of the rare opportunity presented to his side.
The execution of Mendis’ idea proved to be as lethal as the idea behind it, affording Rashid no time to react before the poles lit up and sent the Lions into a frenzy. Twitterati took to social media to heap praise on the excellent game awareness exhibited by Mendis while criticizing the lack of professionalism shown by Rashid.
That was a great throw!
— Young Gopal (@younggopal467) October 26, 2023
Kusal you beauty! How did ou get that bruh!!
Kusal Mendis, that was an excellent throw to take the wicket at the other end. You must have sharp eyes to catch those unique opportunities. You just did to take the 9th wicket🇬🇧 for Sri-Lanka.
— Francis Des (@FrancisDes1) October 26, 2023
You rock Sri-Lanka
Outstanding 👌🇱🇰
Adil Rashid just lost it all to SL!
England can be lazy and keep crying about their self defined spirit of cricket.
— SanjS (@SanjSunofficial) October 26, 2023
Other teams have moved on with putting in more presence of mind and proactive stuff.
Well done Kusal Mendis. That was brilliant piece of cricket, sighting the non striker short of the crease. https://t.co/1jxAuzUyS2
Clear out!
That was brilliant work by Mendis 😂
— Rehan | ريحان (@Rehan_Today) October 26, 2023
That's how you stay in the game!
Brilliant presence of mind from Kusal Mendis in that Adil Rashid dismissal!👏👏#ENGvsSL
— Dr. DopaMeme (@dr_DopaMeme) October 26, 2023
Excellent!
Brilliant from Mendis. https://t.co/Or5nvxIFUI pic.twitter.com/e0DqpvSvfG
— ਅੰਕਿਤ 🏏∆ (@CaughtAtGully) October 26, 2023
No bad words!
Sri lanka isko mat choke Kar jana. Mendis do the job
— Aryan (@aryan_14_) October 26, 2023
Agreed!
Exceptional presence of mind by Kusal Mendis
— Venkat (@TestTubeBaba) October 26, 2023
Oh no!!!
Something for English media to cry today.
— Kathiravan Elango (@kathir_elango) October 26, 2023
Special mention to Kusal Mendis for his brilliant presence of mind.#ENGvsSL#WorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/HG21yLjsKw
W!
Kusal Mendis is such a W wicketkeeper
— naseer (@nasHOOyr) October 26, 2023