Kusal Mendis Set to Replace Jos Buttler in Gujarat Titans Squad for IPL Playoffs

Sri Lanka’s wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis is set to make his long-awaited debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after being named as a replacement for England’s Jos Buttler in the Gujarat Titans squad for the 2025 playoffs. Mendis, who had been playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Quetta Gladiators until May 7, will not return to Pakistan for the remainder of the tournament due to safety concerns. Instead, he has turned his attention to the IPL— a league he has long aspired to be part of but had never managed to break into, despite entering multiple auctions over the years. His selection marks a significant career milestone and a potential turning point, as he now joins a top-performing team on the cusp of securing their playoff berth. Gujarat Titans, currently leading the points table on net run rate and level on points with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, need only one more win to confirm their place in the final four. With Buttler unavailable due to national duty for England’s ODI series against West Indies starting on May 29, the Titans moved quickly to secure an in-form Mendis, who scored 143 runs at a strike rate of 168 in just five PSL matches. Though Gujarat already has two wicketkeeping options in Anuj Rawat and Kumar Kushagra, Mendis’s current form and international experience made him an attractive option heading into high-stakes matches. He is currently awaiting his India visa and is expected to join the Titans squad by Saturday, ready to contribute in what could be one of the most significant phases of his T20 career.

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