Kusal Mendis remained silent and smiled when asked by a Pakistani reporter if he regretted leaving the Pakistan Super League (PSL) last year to join the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The question was posed during a post-match press conference in the 2026 season of the PSL following the Sri Lankan batter’s match-winning performance for Peshawar Zalmi against Lahore Qalandars in Karachi.

In the post-match presser, the reporter asked Mendis: “Last year, you withdraw from Pakistan Super League to play for Gujarat Titans midway through the tournament. And you showed some security concern. 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?”

Mendis did not answer the question, appearing flabbergasted before a media manager intervened to restrict questions to the ongoing PSL performance.

Notably, Kusal Mendis was roped in by GT for the IPL 2025 playoffs, replacing England's Jos Buttler, who had to leave for national duty towards the end of May. The signing took place after the India-Pakistan war.

Before joining the Titans squad, the Sri Lankan cricketer was with the Quetta Gladiators in the PSL. Mendis, however, went unsold at the IPL mini auction that was held in Abu Dhabi last December.