New Delhi: In a massive blow to Gujarat Giants’ title hopes, England T20 superstar Jos Buttler will miss the knockout fixtures of the Indian Premier League 2025 after deciding to fly back home following the conclusion of his team’s last three league games. Buttler will skip the play-offs to participate in the country’s white ball series against the West Indies starting May 29.
Titans are set to finish among the top two teams after the league stage. With 16 points from 11 games, the Titans are favourites to claim one of the top two positions in the points table. In their last three league matches, GT will face Delhi Capitals (away, May 18), Lucknow Super Giants (May 22) and Chennai Super Kings (May 25).
As per a report in ESPNCricinfo, Sri Lankan batter Kusal Mendis will replace the Englishman during the play-off stages.
Other notable absentees include Moeen Ali from Kolkata Knight Riders, Jofra Archer (Rajasthan Royals), Sam Curran and Jamie Overton (both CSK), who have all decided to stay back home. While KKR still have a slim chance of qualifying for the play-offs, both CSK and RR are out of the reckoning.
Hammer blow to GT’s title chances
Buttler’s absence in the knockouts could be a potential hammer blow for the 2022 champions, who have been in impressive form in IPL 2025. With 500 runs to his name, the English veteran is the fifth-highest run-getter in the season, only 10 runs behind Orange Cap holder Suryakumar Yadav of the Mumbai Indians.
Buttler is part of the prolific top-order trio, which also includes GT skipper Shubman Gill and left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan.
Having breached the 500-run mark well before the conclusion of the league stage, all three GT batters have been the most consistent and prolific top order among all franchises. A change in the well-set, proven top order at such a crucial juncture could prove to be decisive in GT’s title run.
Meanwhile, England’s Liam Livingstone and Aussie Tim David will rejoin the RCB squad for the remainder of the tournament.
Jansen to fly back home after league stage
Like Buttler, South Africa all-rounder Marco Jansen will also fly back home after the league stage. Jansen will be rejoining the Punjab Kings squad but will only stay till the remaining league games before joining the Proteas squad ahead of the World Test Championship final against Australia.
All South African cricketers have to report back by May 26, a day after the original date of the final.
The IPL final has been rescheduled for June 3 after a week-long suspension due to a military conflict between India and Pakistan.
The English superstar will participate in the IPL 2025 only till the league stage and will fly back home for national duty ahead of the knockouts. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
