Gujarat Titans (GT) have acquired Sri Lankan star Kusal Mendis as a replacement for Jos Buttler for the rest of the IPL 2025 season, reported Live Mint on May 15, 2025. Buttler, who has been in good touch for GT, scoring 392 runs in 11 games at a strike rate of 145, will be out of the playoffs due to England's white-ball series against the West Indies that begins on May 29, which overlaps with the latter stages of the IPL, including the June 3 final. GT, currently atop the points table with 16 points from 11 games, will depend on Mendis to replace the void as they look to win their second IPL title.

Mendis, an aggressive wicketkeeper-batter, adds experience and panache to GT's lineup, having played 64 ODIs and scored 1,294 runs at 31.56 and 71 T20Is and scored 1,588 runs at a strike rate of 134.29. This is his first IPL stint, and he is the second Sri Lankan player on GT's team this season after Dasun Shanaka. The 30-year-old's prowess at holding innings and striking at the right moment makes him the ideal replacement for Buttler, particularly in the high-stakes playoff games. His stint begins with Qualifier 1 on May 30.

This decision follows Buttler's exit, which was confirmed following national obligations, a common issue for IPL franchises this season as a host of overseas players, among them South Africa's Kagiso Rabada and Australia's Pat Cummins, also missed games for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. GT's administration moved quickly to capture Mendis, whose recent run in Sri Lanka's domestic competition, such as a century in the Lanka Premier League, lends solidity to their batting lineup.

Mendis' Contribution towards GT's Playoff Chase

Mendis will play as an opener with Shubman Gill and will be a solid customer at the top order, offering some options as a wicketkeeper. His performance in big events such as the 2022 T20 World Cup, where he scored 223 runs, will be crucial for GT as they head into the playoffs to face strong competitors in the form of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS).

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GT's strategic replacement indicates their determination to have a solid team even in the absence of Buttler. With Mendis on board, the Titans are set to go far in the IPL 2025 playoffs, looking to repeat their 2022 victory under Hardik Pandya's captaincy.