Twitter Reactions: Kusal Mendis steps up as Sri Lanka registers thumping victory against Ireland in their Super 12 opener

Sri Lanka are off to a great start in the T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 stages after a comfortable victory against Ireland. Kusal Mendis starred with the bat scoring an unbeaten half-century while a disciplined bowling attack helped to curb down the Ireland batting innings. 

Earlier in the game, Ireland opted to bat first after winning the toss and pacer Lahiru Kumara sent back the Ireland skipper Andrew Balbirnie to the dressing room for just one run. Paul Stirling played a lot of shots in his 25-ball 34 at the top while the likes of Lorcan Tucker and Curtis Campher were dismissed early. Harry Tector and George Dockrell managed to string a crucial partnership in the middle and took the side over the 100-run mark. 

Maheesh Theekshana went through the defences of Dockrell while Tector played an excellent hand of 42-ball 45 to take his side to a decent total. In the end, Ireland managed to reach 128 for 8 in their 20 overs while Theekshana was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka with 2 for 19 in his four overs.  

Kusal Mendis takes Sri Lanka home with a fantastic half-century

In reply, the Sri Lankan openers Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis had the best start possible with a 50-plus run partnership for the first wicket. The boundaries kept coming regularly while the Island nation was quite keen on ensuring wickets did not fall. After a 25-ball 31, De Silva was dismissed in the ninth over and Charith Asalanka joined Mendis at the crease.  

While Asalanka took his time initially, Mendis kept his form going and his innings showed the kind of form he has been in. The right-hander reached a half-century in the process as the Ireland bowlers had no answers to the assault from the Sri Lankan side. Mendis finished the game with a stunning six as Sri Lanka won the game by nine wickets and with five overs balls to spare.  

Here's how Twitter reacted to Sri Lanka's win

Great way to start the super 12’s @OfficialSLC boys all bowlers were outstanding @binura_71 @GasManLahiru @Wanindu49 @ChamikaKaru29 #mahesh and brilliant batting by @KusalMendis13 #charit @dds75official 👏👏

— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) October 23, 2022

Complete performance and a commanding win from the boys🇱🇰👏
Bowled smartly with correct lines and lengths considering the ground dimensions👌
Great to see @KusalMendis13 stamping his authority in T20 cricket. With so much talent and potential, it was just a matter of time✨❤️

— Lasith Malinga (@malinga_ninety9) October 23, 2022

Fist pumps allround for @OfficialSLC over @cricketireland there in #Hobart 👌👏 #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/VVfddat0k9

— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) October 23, 2022

🇱🇰 batters also not using their feet to the spinners when there’s no turn,interesting. #T20WorldCup2022

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) October 23, 2022

🇱🇰 will prefer the pace of the Hobart wicket when they bat and can 🇮🇪 handle their spinners.. reckon 🇱🇰 for the W. #T20worldcup22 #T20WorldCup

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) October 23, 2022

Sri Lanka 2nd in Group1 with a NRR of 2.467 after Kusal Mendis' 68* with a SR of 158.13, Played Sri Lanka. 🇱🇰🔥 @KusalMendis13 #SLvIRE #Cricket

— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) October 23, 2022

Disappointing result for @cricketireland struggled with the bat again. #T20WC2022 #Super12 #SLvIRE https://t.co/N9iS9DLYs5

— Michael Murphy (@M_Murphy2004) October 23, 2022

It was wonderful to see the team filling up the gaps left by injured players. Bench strength is a moral booster for any team. #SLvIRE

— 🇱🇰✊🏽 The Lucky One ✊🏽🇱🇰 (@lakshithadasan3) October 23, 2022

This game couldn't have come at a better time for Sri Lanka. Runs and most importantly, fluency for both de Silva and Asalanka 😍 #SLvIRE #T20WorldCup

— Estelle Vasudevan (@Estelle_Vasude1) October 23, 2022

#srilanka won brilliantly start their campaign of #super12.
Congratulations to team srilanka
For this win against #ireland #SLvIRE #IrevSL #t20worldcup #T20WC2022 #T20worldcup22 #T20WorldCup2022 #aravchoudhary #newindia

— Arav Choudhary (@iaravchoudhary) October 23, 2022

#T20WorldCup2022 Super 12 🏆🏏

Group 1, 15th Match, Player of the Match - #KusalMendis (68*) #Ireland - 128/8 #SriLanka - 133/1#T20WorldCup #SLvIRE #IREvSL #ICCT20WorldCup2022 #T20WC2022 #T20WC pic.twitter.com/iObvngJ1hO

— Nishant Dravid (@nishantdravid73) October 23, 2022