Gujarat Titans have roped in Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis as a cover for Jos Buttler before the IPL 2025 playoffs, according to ESPNcricinfo.
Buttler, a central player for Gujarat’s successful campaign in the season so far, will not be available for the knockout phase because of international duties. He will be joining England’s ODI team for their home series against the West Indies, starting on May 29 – the day the IPL playoffs begin.
Mendis, who most recently played for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with the Quetta Gladiators, last played on May 7. Although he played as a wicketkeeper-batter for that league, he has chosen not to go back to Pakistan for the rest of the season, apparently for safety reasons. Instead, he will now join Gujarat Titans and make his IPL debut.
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The Titans currently have two wicket-keepers in the team – Anuj Rawat and Kumar Kushagra, but Mendis provides international class and recent form. He made 143 runs at a strike rate of 168 from five games in this year’s PSL.
Internationally, Mendis has played 78 T20Is for Sri Lanka, scoring 1,920 runs with an average of 25.60 and a strike rate of 131.68. His T20I statistics also feature 15 fifty-plus scores.
The move to send in Mendis follows the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) limiting the English players’ involvement in the IPL until May 25 – the originally slated date for the IPL final – by issuing the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) accordingly.
The Titans will miss Buttler’s services big time, as he has been in top shape this season. In 11 innings, the English opener has accumulated 500 runs with an average of 71.43 and a strike rate of 163.93. His efforts have been crucial for GT in assuming the number one position on the points table, with eight wins and three losses from 11 games.
Gujarat Titans will next face Delhi Capitals on May 18 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, as they look to continue their dominant run heading into the playoffs.
