May 2025 – BlogHear.com
England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler will skip the Indian Premier League (IPL) play-offs if the Gujarat Titans qualify, prioritizing his role in England’s upcoming one-day international (ODI) and Twenty20 (T20) series against the West Indies.
Buttler, a former England captain, is among five England players currently participating in the IPL who have been named in the national ODI squad. Due to the rescheduling of the IPL amid political tensions between India and Pakistan, the play-offs now clash with England’s international schedule.
The IPL resumes this Saturday, with play-offs scheduled to begin on May 29 and the final set for June 3. Buttler plans to complete the IPL group stage before returning to England in time for the first ODI on May 29.
Similarly, England all-rounders Jacob Bethell (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) and Will Jacks (Mumbai Indians) are expected to follow the same path—finishing their IPL group stage commitments before joining the England squad.
Two other England players, Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton, also part of the IPL, are not expected to return to India, as their respective franchises cannot qualify for the play-offs.
England’s series against West Indies will consist of three ODIs, followed by a three-match T20 series starting June 6. This ODI series marks England’s first since Harry Brook took over as captain, replacing Jos Buttler.
The Gujarat Titans, currently leading the IPL standings with three matches remaining, need just one more win to secure a play-off spot. Sri Lankan batsman Kusal Mendis is reportedly set to be signed by the Titans as a replacement for Buttler during the play-offs. The Titans’ final group match is scheduled for May 25.
Second-placed Royal Challengers Bengaluru also require a win in one of their remaining matches to qualify. England all-rounder Liam Livingstone and wicketkeeper Phil Salt have returned to RCB for the IPL restart; Livingstone has been dropped from the England ODI squad, while Salt is part of the T20 squad only.
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