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

Kusal Mendis remained unbeaten on 68 off 43 balls with five fours and three sixes.

By Manoj Kumar

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Srilanka vs Ireland
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Srilanka vs Ireland. (Photo Source: Steve Bell - ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

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

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T20 World Cup 2024Sri LankaIrelandKusal Mendis