The Sri Lankan wk-batter Kusal Mendis is likely to join the Gujarat Titans as a replacement for Jos Buttler for the IPL 2025 playoffs.

Mendis had been at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with Quetta Gladiators until last week, playing as their wicketkeeper-batter.

However, Kusal Mendis will not be travelling to Pakistan for the remainder of the PSL due to safety concerns and has now prioritised joining the IPL.

Buttler has been in phenomenal form, smashing 500 runs at an average of 71.43. He will feature in the last three league stage games in the tournament before flying out for his international commitments.

Jos Buttler’s unavailability for the playoffs is down to his having been named in England’s ODI squad for the home series against West Indies, which starts on May 29.

Gujarat Titans have two other wicketkeeping options in their squad, in Anuj Rawat and Kumar Kushagra. Kusal Mendis has been in good form for Gladiators, hitting 143 runs at a strike rate of 168 in five PSL matches.

The franchise has made a merely appraoch for replacement is something of a career fill up for Mendis, who entered IPL auctions repeatedly, but went unsold.

It is learnt that he will be currently awaiting his India visa and is likely to join the side on Saturday.

Gujarat Titans sits in the top of the IPL 2025 points table due to superior run rate after having equal points with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

They need only one more win to secure a spot in playoffs. However the IPL 2025 has been suspended for a week due to IND-PAK tensions.

After the ceasefire, the BCCI has decided to resume the tournament with a revised schedule. Gujarat Titans will play their next match against Delhi Capitals on May 18, Lucknow Super Giants on May 22 and their final group stage match will be up against Chennai Super Kings on May 25.