Srilanka, May 15 -- Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis will replace Jos Buttler in the Gujarat Titans squad for the IPL playoffs.

Mendis had been at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with Quetta Gladiators until last week, playing as their wicketkeeper-batter. He'd last played for them on May 7. But ESPNcricinfo has learned he will not travel to Pakistan for the remainder of the PSL due to perceived safety concerns, and has now pivoted to playing in the IPL, a league in which he has never previously appeared.

Buttler's unavailability for the playoffs is down to his having been named in England's ODI squad for the home series against West Indies, which starts on May 29. The IPL's playoffs begin the same day.

GT have two other wic...