Kusal Mendis snubs PSL citing safety concerns, joins Gujarat Titans as replacement

Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis has opted out of PSL 2025 due to safety concerns and has joined Gujarat Titans as Jos Buttler’s replacement for IPL 2025 playoffs. Mendis is all set to make his IPL debut now. read more

Kusal Mendis has been named the replacement for Jos Buttler in the Gujarat Titans' squad. Image: AFP

Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis has decided not to return to Pakistan for the remainder of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025, due to perceived safety concerns. Instead, he will now join the Gujarat Titans (GT) for the IPL 2025 playoffs as a replacement for England’s Jos Buttler.

Kusal Mendis pulls out of PSL due to safety concerns

Mendis had been playing for Quetta Gladiators in the PSL 2025 and last featured for them on 7 May before the league was suspended. However, Mendis chose not to travel back to Pakistan after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the resumption of the league, reportedly due to safety concerns.

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According to ESPNcricinfo, the Sri Lankan cricketer has now turned his focus to the IPL, where he is set to make his debut with GT. Mendis had entered his name in the IPL auctions several times in the past but did not find any bidders. He has now got the chance to play in the league as a replacement player.

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Buttler has been named in England’s white-ball squads for their bilateral series against the West Indies. He will leave the GT team before the start of the playoffs on 29 May. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had granted no-objection certificates to English players until 25 May.

Mendis has joined GT at a time when they are in top form, currently leading the points table with eight wins in eleven matches. Buttler has been a key player for GT this season, scoring 500 runs in 11 innings with an average of 71.43 and a strike rate of 163.93. His absence will be a big loss for the franchise.

Mendis has been in good form too. In the PSL 2025, he scored 143 runs at a strike rate of 168 across five matches. While this will be his first time playing in the IPL, he brings a lot of T20 experience. For Sri Lanka, Mendis has played 78 T20 internationals, scoring 1920 runs with 15 fifties to his name.

The IPL 2025 is set to resume on 17 May. Gujarat Titans will play their next match on 18 May against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

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