‌Mumbai Indians rode on the back of a lightning quick start by Jonny Bairstow and Rohit Sharma, the latter ending up with a 51-ball 80, to post the Gujarat Titans a mammoth target of 229 on a batting haven at Maharaja Yudhvir Singh International Cricket Stadium. Already facing an uphill task thus, the scalp of Shubman Gill early in the chase set the Titans back further, especially with little guarantee on how would Kusal Mendis turn out on IPL debut having replaced the prolific Jos Buttler. As it turned out, the Sri Lankan defied expectations with a blistering beginning to his innings, only to then disappoint by losing his wicket in tragic fashion. 

Mendis, batting on 20 off just nine deliveries, gound himself up against Mitchell Santner in the seventh over when Rohit gave him the strike off the first delivery. The Kiwi spinner dropped the ball on a length first up to the wicket-keeper batter, who decided to use his short stature by standing deep in the crease and pull the Kookaburra away with intent. However, as Kusal dragged his hind leg backwards with the front foot firmly planted, his shoes failed to grip. Before anyone could realize what had happened, two stumps were left uprooted on the deck while the middle pole glimmered in red even as the white rock made its way towards square-leg. Confused faces occupied the field while Kusal walked off but it all became clear soon enough, when the big screen showed that Kusal had trod onto the middle-stump before the ball had even reached him.

Oh lord!

pic.twitter.com/OJGnELHvoP

— Birdman (@kingbirdman22) May 30, 2025

What a performance

Kusal mendis :



Two dropped catches

Hit wicket

20(10) pic.twitter.com/jllSnihbJo

— Salt (@Bittuu_tweets) May 30, 2025

LOL

Abey Kusal Mendis ko Jio ka CEO wagera offer kar diya kya bc 😭 pic.twitter.com/IWgduPCIIM

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) May 30, 2025

Paid?

GT paid Kusal Mendis good but MI paid him better.



-Dropped Multiple catches

-Hit his own wickets 😭 pic.twitter.com/eWkR70hAfU

— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) May 30, 2025

Literally

literally Kusal Mendis😭 #MIvsGT pic.twitter.com/mogNc2MWIo

— Lakshay (@NoAimLakshay) May 30, 2025

No words

Kusal Mendis 😷 pic.twitter.com/tCim08d1Bn

— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) May 30, 2025

Unreal

3 Catches Dropped & Now Got Out Hit Wicket

No wonder Kusal Mendis is favourite player of Colombo Clówn 🤣#MIvsGT | #GTvsMI pic.twitter.com/EHy3ioExvK

— Kriti Singh (@kritiitweets) May 30, 2025

Yeah please

Someone check kusal mendis bank balance asap pic.twitter.com/iG3ZEkmESz

— Kevin (@imkevin149) May 30, 2025

Naah

Kusal Mendis - overnight Millionaire or what? #MIvsGT #IPLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/3dEbFCWhi2

— Parth Sanghvi (@ParthSanghvi26) May 30, 2025

Nice

Ambani to Kusal Mendis.#MIvsGT pic.twitter.com/cUowTJG6NY

— Chai_Sutta (@Chai_SuttaGuy) May 30, 2025