'What I said was wrong, I am feeling for it' - Kusal Mendis on his strange reply to Virat Kohli's 49th ODI century

Sri Lanka's stand-in skipper Kusal Mendis finally opened up about why he gave a strange response when he was asked about Virat Kohli's record-equalling 49th century in ODIs. Kohli leveled up with Sachin Tendulkar's record after scoring a ton during India's clash against South Africa at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Meanwhile, Mendis was asked by a journalist about the former India captain's new milestone in a pre-match press conference ahead of their crucial encounter against Bangladesh. The wicketkeeper-batter responded in a rather bizarre way. However, he later stated that he was not aware of Kohli's record and that he felt bad for responding that way. 

"During the press conference, I wasnt aware that Kohli scored his 49th Hundred, when journalist suddenly asked, I don't know what to say & I didn't understand the question as well - scoring 49 hundreds is not easy - what I said was wrong, I am feeling for it," Mendis was quoted as saying by Asian Mirror.

Virat Kohli holds third place in ODI World Cup top-scorers chart

Kohli is having an unforgettable campaign in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023. Having amassed 543 runs in nine innings thus far in the competition, the former India captain is the side's leading run-scorer and third in the overall list. He has scored two crucial centuries and four half-centuries so far. 

The 35-year-old is now trailing behind ace South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock and young batting sensation of New Zealand Rachin Ravindra, who have scored 591 and 565 runs, respectively. The Delhi-born cricketer is expected to play another vital innings when India locks horns with the Netherlands in their final group stage clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on November 12, Sunday. 

After the meeting against the Dutch team, the two-time champions will play New Zealand in the first semifinal of the ongoing competition. The all-important clash will be contested at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 15.