Gujarat Titans have confirmed that Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis will replace Jos Buttler for the IPL 2025 playoffs. Buttler will be available for GT’s final three league matches before flying back to the UK to join England’s white-ball squad for the ODI series against West Indies beginning May 30.

Mendis, who featured for Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), will not return for the PSL’s final stages and is set to join the Titans for the knockout phase.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had earlier granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for IPL participation based on the original schedule, which had the final on May 25. However, with the IPL now extended until June 3the revised dates have created scheduling conflicts.

As a result, England players Jos Buttler (GT), Jacob Bethell (RCB), and Will Jacks (MI) are set to miss the IPL playoffs. Bethell will return for RCB’s next two games but will head back to Birmingham before the final group match. Jacks is expected to play two more matches for Mumbai Indians before flying home.

The ECB said it is working closely with the BCCI and IPL officials, adding, “We’ll continue to support the IPL where possible, but will need to review player availability in line with international commitments.”

All three franchises — GT, RCB, and MI — are in strong contention for playoff qualification, making these player exits a significant development ahead of the business end of the tournament.