Kusal Mendis granted bail over accident, to pay 1 million in compensation

Kusal Mendis, the Sri Lankan cricketer, got into a massive controversy after his car accounted for the life of a 64-year-old man. On Sunday, July 5, he was arrested following the incident in Panadura. As per the police, the pedestrian, who resided at Gorakapola, Panadura, was driving a bicycle when Mendis’ car crashed into the Horethuduwa area.

Thereafter, the elderly person died instantly. Quite expectantly, the incident has sent shockwaves in the cricket fraternity and footage of the horrific accident has also been doing the rounds on social media platforms. However, it has been learned that the 25-year-old Mendis has been granted bail on two sureties worth 1 million Sri Lankan rupees.

Breathing space for Kusal Mendis

As per reports in WION, on Monday, July 6, Panadura Additional Magistrate granted bail for the cricketer. In Sri Lanka, the lockdowns have come to an end and hence, Mendis was allowed to be on road. The youngster was also a part of the Sri Lanka’s residential training camp in Pallekele, which ended on Wednesday, July 1.

Mendis has been one of Lanka’s most talented cricketers in recent times. He made his debut in 2015 and has flourished across formats for the national team. In 44 Tests, 76 ODIs and 26 T20Is, the right-hander has notched 2,995, 2,167 and 484 runs respectively. Moreover, he boasts of nine centuries and 33 half-centuries at the highest level.

He last played in the home ODI and T20I series against the West Indies back in February and March this year. In that series, he had scores of 119 and 55, batting at the top of the order. Though the hosts lost the T20Is, they managed to whitewash the Caribbean team 3-0 in the ODIs.

Thereafter, he was picked for the two-match Test series versus England at home. However, the series couldn’t take place as the coronavirus pandemic broke out. A number of other series also had to be postponed due to the COVID-19.

Their home matches against India also won’t be taking place due to the current scenario. As far as Mendis is concerned, it remains to be seen if he gets picked in the national squad after what happened with his car.