After Corbin Bosh and Mitchell Wayne, IPL has once again snatched a player from PSL. This time, IPL team Gujarat Titans has done such a thing. The team’s English star Jos Buttler is not coming to the IPL, which is starting after a temporary break. Instead, they are taking Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis into the team.
It is certain that Gujarat, who are at the top of the table, will be playing the playoffs. But the team’s regular wicketkeeper Jos Buttler will not be in that phase. Buttler has been called up to the England team announced for the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies at home. Therefore, even though he will be in the IPL from the 17th, Buttler will have to return to his country before the 29th. And the IPL playoffs will start from that day.
On the other hand, Kusal Mendis was playing as a wicketkeeper-batsman for Quetta Gladiators in the current Pakistan Super League (PSL). He last played for the team on May 7. However, Cricinfo reported that the Sri Lankan star will not be going to Pakistan for the rest of the PSL due to security concerns. Instead, Kusal Mendis is joining the IPL for the first time in his career.
It is worth noting that apart from Jos Buttler, Gujarat Titans have two more wicketkeepers. Both are rising stars of India. One is Anuj Rawat and the other is Kumar Kushagra. However, apart from them, Gujarat Titans have Kusal Mendis in mind. He was in great form as a wicketkeeper in PSL. He scored 143 runs at a strike rate of 168 in five matches in PSL.
Kusal Mendis has been in the IPL auction several times before. But he has never been given a team. This time, Kusal Mendis is getting a chance to play for Gujarat Titans due to the Indo-Pakistan military tension and the subsequent break in the IPL.
Cricinfo reported that Kusal Mendis is currently waiting for a visa to India. It is believed that he can join the Gujarat Titans team by Saturday.
Gujarat Titans are currently at the top of the IPL points table. They are level on points with Royal Challengers Bangalore but ahead on net run rate. They have three more matches to play against Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings. However, they need just one more win to secure a play-off berth.