Kusal Mendis Likely to Replace Jos Buttler for IPL 2025 Playoffs at Gujarat Titans

Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis is all set to step in for Jos Buttler at Gujarat Titans for the IPL 2025 playoffs, with the Englishman ruled out due to national duty. Buttler, who has been in red-hot form this season, will depart after the league stage to join England’s ODI squad for their home series against the West Indies, which begins on May 29 – the same day as the IPL playoffs.

Kusal Mendis’ maiden IPL call-up 

This marks Mendis' first-ever stint in the IPL, a long-awaited break for a player who has regularly entered the auction pool but never found a taker. Mendis had been part of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), playing for Quetta Gladiators as their designated wicketkeeper-batter. He played his last game for them on May 7 and has since opted out of returning for the rest of the tournament due to reported safety concerns. That decision paved the way for his IPL debut. 

Kusal Mendis is likely to replace Jos Buttler for IPL Play-offs. #IPL2025 #ipl2025update pic.twitter.com/VTG4j517xD

— ScoreWaves (@ScoreWaves) May 15, 2025

Mendis will join his countryman Dasun Shanaka in the GT camp. While he can't be retained next season under current replacement rules, this could be a significant stepping stone in Mendis’ T20 career. With over 4,700 T20 runs, including two centuries and 32 fifties, he’s no stranger to the format – and now, he finally gets his IPL chance. 

For Gujarat Titans, Mendis offers a reliable option behind the stumps and with the bat. While the squad also includes Indian keepers Anuj Rawat and Kumar Kushagra, Mendis’ form with the Gladiators – 143 runs at a strike rate of 168 – makes him a strong candidate to slot straight in. However, Buttler's absence will be felt. He’s piled up 500 runs this season at an average of 71.43. Besides that, he became the fourth-fastest batter to reach 4,000 IPL runs earlier in the campaign. Despite his upcoming departure, his contributions have already been crucial in pushing GT toward the playoffs. 

GT are currently sitting at the top of the table, level on points with Royal Challengers Bengaluru but ahead on net run rate. One more win from their remaining three league matches will be enough to officially seal their spot in the playoffs. 

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