In what comes as a huge setback for the Gujarat Titans, a report from NewsWire has confirmed that Englishman Jos Buttler will be unavailable for the playoffs as he will head back to England to be a part of the 3-match ODI series against West Indies which is scheduled to start on May 30. The league stage of the IPL finishes on May 27 as per the revised schedule and Buttler will be leaving the Indian shores after GT's last league game on the same date. GT have 3 matches remaining in the league stage and the right-handed wicketkeeper will be available for all three of them before he exits the tournament. Also Read | Massive Boost for RCB as Key Player Hits Nets Before KKR Showdown Buttler was in tremendous form before IPL was suspended. He played at number three for GT and had already scored 500 runs in this season in 11 innings at a stupendous average of 71.43 with 5 fifty-plus scores and a best of 97*. Who will replace Jos Buttler? It has been learnt that Kusal Mendis, the wicketkeeper-batter from Sri Lanka will take Buttler's place in the playoffs should GT get there (which looks possible in all likelihood). This will be Mendis' first gig at the IPL having not played in the league in any of its previous editions. Currently, he is part of the PSL with Quetta Gladiators but is not going to go to Pakistan when the league resumes on Saturday (May 17), the same day when IPL resumes too. It is important to note that Mendis will join GT in Buttler's place for only the playoffs this year and will not be eligible for retention next year when Buttler comes back as per the new temporary replacement rules provided by the IPL. Also Read | IPL 2025: 10 Overseas Stars Set to Miss Playoffs Buttler is an important part of the England white-ball setup and has been picked up for the ODI series alongside the likes of Jofra Archer (RR), Jacob Bethell (RCB), Will Jacks (MI) and Jamie Overton (CSK). While Archer and Overton have already withdrawn their names from the remainder of the IPL and will not be returning to India, it remains to be seen whether Bethell and Jacks follow the same path as Buttler.