Playoff first as Kusal Mendis steps in for Jos Buttler
IPL history has a new line today. Gujarat Titans have drafted Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis as a replacement for Jos Buttler right before the playoffs, making him the first overseas player to debut in the league at the playoff stage. It’s a gutsy call, a tight timeline, and a clear sign the table-toppers want immediate impact.
Buttler’s absence is the trigger. He is unavailable because he’s been named in England’s ODI squad for the home series against the West Indies, which starts on May 29—the same day the IPL playoffs begin. Few batters in this tournament have matched Buttler’s output this season: 538 runs at 59.77, striking at 163.03. That’s elite form, and it leaves a real hole at the top.
Mendis, 30, brings a different toolkit. He’s captained Sri Lanka, he keeps wickets, and he has miles in T20 cricket. Internationally, he’s logged 1,920 T20I runs from 78 matches at an average of 25.60, with 15 half-centuries. In Pakistan’s T20 league this season, he scored 143 runs for Quetta Gladiators in five outings at 35.75 and a strike rate of 168—a sharp burst that shows he’s seeing the ball well.
The timing is unusual but practical. Mendis last played the PSL on May 7 and won’t return to Pakistan for the remainder of that tournament because of perceived safety concerns. That made him available for India at short notice. He is now awaiting his India visa and is expected to join the Titans as soon as paperwork clears and travel is arranged.
For the Titans, this is a strategic plug-and-play. The plan is to slot Mendis at No. 3, where his quick starts against pace and ability to keep momentum through the middle overs can stabilize the innings around the powerplay surge. The franchise also has domestic wicketkeeping options—Anuj Rawat and Kumar Kushagra—so Mendis can play as a specialist batter if required, with the gloves handled by a local pick to balance the XI.
What makes this move stand out is not just the timing but the profile. Despite entering multiple IPL auctions over the years, Mendis had never been picked. Now, his debut will come under maximum pressure, with every mistake amplified and every stroke potentially decisive. That said, he’s used to high-stakes cricket with Sri Lanka, and his recent T20 rhythm suggests he won’t be rusty.
The table situation explains the urgency. Gujarat sit on top, level on points with Royal Challengers Bengaluru but ahead on net run rate. One more win seals a playoff berth; momentum from there decides everything. With Buttler gone, the Titans needed a top-order option who can match tempo early and absorb spin without stalling. Mendis ticks both boxes on paper.
The league’s replacement rules allow such late changes, subject to BCCI approval and player registration. Franchise officials moved quickly once Buttler’s England call-up was confirmed, locking in Mendis and starting the visa process. The hope is he reaches in time for the first playoff game. If there’s a delay, Titans have the option to shuffle their batting and keep Mendis ready for the next knockout.
What will fans see from Mendis? Expect a busy presence at the crease—strong off the back foot, quick on anything short, and not shy to use the sweep against spin early. He doesn’t need to hit every ball out of the park to be effective. A 25-ball 35 at No. 3 that keeps the rate up can be just as valuable when the finishers are set, especially in playoffs where totals of 170–185 often decide the night.
The big unknown is adaptation time. Playoffs compress everything: new team, new roles, and limited practice between travel and matches. The Titans’ think tank will likely keep his job simple—hold shape in the powerplay if an early wicket falls, attack fifth and sixth bowlers, and give the back end a platform. With Rawat or Kushagra available with the gloves, team balance shouldn’t take a hit.
There’s a historical angle too. Mid-season replacements are common; playoff debuts aren’t, especially for overseas players. The optics are bold: if Mendis hits the ground running, the Titans have stolen an edge when squads are generally locked and predictable. If it takes him a game to settle, they’ll need the rest of the order to cover, which is manageable given their depth and current form.
Buttler’s numbers won’t be replicated easily, but the Titans aren’t asking for a like-for-like. Buttler’s role is unique; Mendis offers control and pace in phases that often decide knockout games—the overs right after the powerplay when spin comes on and innings can drift. That’s where his PSL strike rate of 168 this season feels relevant; he didn’t just tee off in the first six, he maintained intent deep into the middle.
The other subplot is leadership. Mendis has captained Sri Lanka across formats. Even if he isn’t calling the shots here, game awareness and calm in chase scenarios can’t be faked. In a playoff chase of, say, 175, a measured 40 at No. 3 can be the difference between panic and control. The Titans have used that template all season—one batter anchors while the rest bat around him at high clips.
There will be selection calls. If Mendis plays as a specialist batter, the Titans can run with a four-overseas mix that protects both pace and spin. If he keeps wicket, it opens a slot for another bowling option but shifts pressure on the middle order to cover batting. Given the squad’s makeup and the mention of Rawat and Kushagra, the first scenario looks likelier for game one.
Opponents will plan hard. Expect early pace at the body to test his quickness, then heavy spin in the seventh to tenth overs to take the tempo out of his hands. That’s standard playoff pressure. His response—getting inside the line, nudging singles, and targeting the shorter side with slog-sweeps—will decide whether Titans can keep their batting blueprint intact.
Key timelines, numbers, and what comes next
The move came together fast over the past fortnight. Buttler’s England call-up was formalized; Mendis ended his PSL stint on May 7; the Titans initiated paperwork soon after. With the playoffs set for May 29 onward, every day matters for travel, visas, and fitness checks.
- IPL debut: Set to be during the playoffs, a first for an overseas player.
- Reason for replacement: Buttler named in England’s ODI squad vs West Indies starting May 29.
- Mendis recent T20 form: 143 runs in 5 PSL matches at 35.75; strike rate 168 (Quetta Gladiators).
- International T20 record: 1,920 runs in 78 matches at 25.60 with 15 fifties.
- Role for Titans: No. 3 batter; wicketkeeping covered by Anuj Rawat or Kumar Kushagra if needed.
- Status: Visa process underway; arrival planned before the first playoff game.
For Gujarat, the calculus is simple: protect their net run rate edge, lock the playoff berth with the next win, and hit the qualifiers with a clear batting plan. Bringing Mendis in now keeps their top order aggressive without breaking the bowling balance that’s carried them to the top of the table.
This is a career breakpoint for Mendis too. He’s put his name in several IPL auctions without success. Now he gets his chance with the lights brightest and the margins thinnest. Perform here, and the narrative flips overnight—from unsold to indispensable. For the Titans, that’s precisely the upside they’re betting on.
