GT is set to replace Jos Buttler with Kusal Mendis for the playoffs. Jos Buttler is a part of the England vs West Indies ODI series, which kicks off from May 29th, and will leave for his national duty after the league stage. Kusal Mendis was part of the Quetta Gladiators in PSL, will join IPL now.
Jos Buttler’s show
Buttler’s ” Jos the Boss” show will be missed by GT. He gave stability in the top order along with the openers. Buttler has scored 500 runs in 11 innings with 5 half-centuries. He also played a crucial finishing the match in run chases. He scored a brilliant 97 not out and helped GT to register their first successful 200-plus chase in the IPL against DC.
GT will miss his experience and fireworks in the playoffs. He also creates a fear factor in the opponents. There is no other batter who could create such an impact by his presence in the field. Buttler also has better record in playoffs as well.
Kusal Mendis
Kusal Mendis has been called up by GT to replace Buttler in the playoffs. GT, who has 16 points in 11 matches with a positive run rate, is likely to make the playoffs and have better chances to finish in the top 2 in the table. This Sri Lankan wicket keeper is currently looks in good form in the PSL, will look to replicate his good run in IPL as well.
remaining matches for GT :
vs DC on May 18th at Arun Jaitley stadium
vs LSG on May 22nd at Narendra Modi stadium
vs CSK on May 25th at Narendra Modi stadium
GT playing 2 out of their 3 games in their home ground and the qualifier 2 and Final is set to occur at Ahmedabad as well. GT have a slight advantage while playing the knockout games at their home conditions.
He is an experienced player in International circuit with representing his nation in 78 T20I games and scored near to 2000 runs with 15 half centuries at a strike rate of 131. He may not create the fear factor and impact like Jos Buttler, but can provide stability in the top order along with Gill and Sudarshan.
These three can hold the wickets and carry the game until the 15th over and give it to the middle order to launch fireworks in the death overs. This has been the template for them this season. Mendis is also a better player of spin, makes him a right choice to operate in the middle overs from 6 to 15 overs.
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