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).

Also Read: Prithvi Shaw shares cryptic post ahead of IPL 2025 resumption

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.

Jos Buttler resigned as England white-ball cricket captain after the side's premature ICC Champions Trophy exit. The resignation has sparked rumors of possible replacements ready to spearhead England limited-overs cricket into a fresh era. There are three well-known candidates, as follows:

1. Harry Brook – The Emerging Talent

Harry Brook, 26 years old, has quickly become an intimidating batsman across all formats. Fresh from being appointed as vice-captain by Buttler, Brook captained England in a September 2024 five-match ODI series against Australia, amassing the most runs, illustrating his leadership prospects. His style of batting fits into England's contemporary white-ball cricket approach. There have, however, been concerns about pushing him too early at a relatively young age with a suggestion of caution before assigning him the role of captain. 

2. Liam Livingstone

Liam Livingstone has experience as well as the ability to fill several roles. He led England on a West Indies tour when Buttler was not available, hit an unbeaten 124, and won the match. His ability to perform with both bat and ball makes him a serious contender, even though he lacks experience as an international captain.

3. Ben Duckett – The Dependable Performer

Ben Duckett has been a dependable performer for England, especially in difficult situations. His adaptability and composure make him a dependable option in the batting lineup. Duckett's domestic cricket experience and present form could make him a good bet for leadership. But his lack of experience in captaincy roles at the international level could be a factor the selectors would have to consider.

 The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has a significant decision to make at this  moment. They should consider factors like experience, leadership, and pressure handling. This is because there is the  need to consider the workload of the players who are likely to represent England in different formats. The new  captain will be an important factor in determining whether England will continue to be a force in limited overs cricket or not.

The highly anticipated Australia vs England game of the Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be an electrifying match, pitting two of the most powerful cricketing teams against each other in a struggle for dominance. Both teams have put together very strong teams, combining experience with new talent, and this promises to be a thrilling contest for cricket enthusiasts everywhere.

Match Details:

• Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
• Time: 2:30 PM 
• Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Australia's Probable XI

1. Travis Head: The aggressive left-handed opener will be crucial in providing Australia with a solid start.

2. Matthew Short: A versatile batter with the ability to accelerate the innings when needed.

3. Steve Smith (c): The experienced leader and batting maestro, Smith's role at No. 3 will be pivotal in stabilizing the innings.

4. Josh Inglis: A dynamic batter who can take on the opposition’s bowlers in the middle overs.

5. Marnus Labuschagne: A technically sound batter who brings stability and resilience to the lineup.

6. Alex Carey (wk): A reliable wicketkeeper and middle-order batter capable of playing crucial finishing roles.

7. Glenn Maxwell: The explosive all-rounder known for his match-winning performances with both bat and ball.

8. Aaron Hardie: A rising all-rounder providing depth in batting and an extra pace option.

9. Sean Abbott: A seasoned campaigner with a knack for picking up key wickets.

10. Spencer Johnson: A young and talented fast bowler who can generate express pace.

11. Adam Zampa : The lead spinner in the squad, Zampa's variations will be key in the middle overs.

Travis Head, Matthew Short, Steve Smith (c), Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Spencer Johnson, Adam Zampa

Key Strengths

• A balanced batting lineup with aggressive stroke players and solid anchors.
• Versatile all-rounders providing flexibility in team combinations.
• A mix of experienced bowlers and emerging pacers to counter England’s strong batting unit.

ALSO READ:ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (Group B) AFG vs SA: South Africa crush tournament debutants

England's Probable XI

1. Ben Duckett: A skilled top-order batter capable of handling pace and spin effectively.

2. Phil Salt: A destructive opener who can take the attack to the opposition from the first ball.

3. Jamie Smith (wk): A promising young wicketkeeper-batter looking to make a mark in international cricket.

4. Joe Root: The backbone of England’s batting lineup, Root’s ability to anchor the innings will be vital.

5. Harry Brook: A talented batter known for his ability to accelerate the scoring rate in the middle overs.

6. Jos Buttler (c): The explosive England skipper, renowned for his game-changing ability with the bat.

7. Liam Livingstone: A dangerous all-rounder who can clear the ropes with ease and contribute with his spin bowling.

8. Brydon Carse: A fast-bowling all-rounder with a raw pace and ability to deliver in crunch situations.

9. Mark Wood: England’s speedster, capable of unsettling batters with his express pace.

10. Jofra Archer: Returning to international cricket, Archer’s lethal pace and accuracy make him a key asset.

11. Adil Rashid: England’s premier leg-spinner, crucial for taking wickets in the middle overs.

Ben Duckett, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.

Key Strengths

• A power-packed batting order with a mix of classical and aggressive batters.
• A formidable fast-bowling attack featuring Mark Wood and Jofra Archer.
• Adil Rashid’s wrist spin adds a crucial dimension to their bowling attack.