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[Watch] Kusal Mendis' DRS Blunder Allows Jonny Bairstow Get ‘Priceless’ Lifeline

Ritam

image-lo6yv09yThe drama at the beginning (X.com)

On Thursday (October 26), against reigning champions England, Kusal Mendis' terrible decision as captain prevented Sri Lanka from getting off to a perfect start in their all-important World Cup clash in Bengaluru.

It all happened Dilshan Madushanka, bowling his first delivery of the day, went for an inswinging yorker against Jonny Bairstow to start the proceedings. The Englishman was almost on the floor to tackle the vicious delivery, but somehow managed to send it down the ground with the bat.

Interestingly, the ball hit Bairstow’s pads before it went to his bat, and Sri Lanka did an appeal for LBW, but later focused on chasing the ball.

Yet, Kusal Mendis went to have a chat with his teammates, discussing whether he should take a DRS immediately after the start of the game. He decided not to take the risk, which later proved costly.

The replay showed the ball struck Bairstow’s pad, and it would have been a clear cut LBW had Mendis challenged the decision.

Watch: Sri Lanka's DRS Blunder vs Jonny Bairstow

Mendis saw on the big screen soon after, and had a wry smile on his face. As of writing, Bairstow has reached to 21 off just 19 balls, and had Kusal taken the DRS, he would have gone for a golden duck.