“Any Regrets?” Controversy Brews After Reporter Questions Mendis on IPL Switch

An awkward question was posed to Sri Lankan player Kusal Mendis at a press conference ahead of Pakistan Super League 2026 over his decision to withdraw from PSL to play IPL.

During a presser this season for Peshawar Zalmi, a reporter asked the batter if he had any regrets over abandoning last year's PSL campaign midway through and joining the Indian Premier League instead.

reporter's question to Kusal Mendis:

"Last year you withdrew from the PSL to play IPL midway through the tournament. This year they didn't pick you. Don't you have any regrets for leaving PSL?"

The question seemed to have caused a brief silence in the presser and the moderator had to intervene, instructing the reporter to restrict his questions to PSL and the match in question.

The reporter argued back:

"I still feel it's about PSL, and about a situation we encountered last season and a decision that was taken." 

Mendis did not answer the question and stood silent while another reporter was invited to pose a question.

Background of IPL-PSL situation

Last season, Mendis was playing for Quetta Gladiators and played eight matches for them before exiting the tournament prematurely. At the time, he claimed there were concerns about security in Pakistan and was then picked as a replacement player by Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025 playoffs.

Mendis was then released by the Gujarat Titans and his name did not come up for selection by any of the teams at the IPL 2026 auction. Following this, he decided to rejoin PSL this season and has joined Peshawar Zalmi. His move has proven effective, having already scored 241 runs from four games in PSL 2026.

The incident put again into spotlight the often competitive and overlapping scheduling between the IPL and PSL which forces overseas players to make a tough call about their commitment.

Still, IPL remains to be a more successful and economically robust tournament. Many foreign players make their preference for playing in the IPL, and often skip PSL matches when opportunity strikes in IPL (as seen in Mendis's case last year).