IPL 2025: PBKS, GT, LSG Announce Key Player Replacements Mid-Season

IPL 2025: PBKS, GT, and LSG Announce Key Player Replacements Ahead of Business End

May 15, 2025 – IPL Media Advisory: With the IPL 2025 league phase entering its final stretch, three franchises Punjab Kings (PBKS), Gujarat Titans (GT), and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have confirmed key player replacements due to injury and national duty commitments. These announcements are crucial as all three teams remain in contention for playoff spots, and squad depth could play a defining role in their end-of-season campaigns.

The BCCI, in an official media advisory on May 15, detailed the changes, with Kyle Jamieson, Kusal Mendis, and William O’Rourke joining their respective franchises to plug critical gaps left by Lockie Ferguson, Jos Buttler, and Mayank Yadav. The replacements reflect not just injury-management strategies but also tactical considerations as the IPL gears up for its climax.

Kyle Jamieson Joins Punjab Kings as Lockie Ferguson Ruled Out

Punjab Kings, currently eyeing a playoff berth, have been dealt a setback with the exit of Lockie Ferguson, who sustained a hamstring injury and has been ruled out of the remainder of the season. The express Kiwi pacer had shown flashes of his best form and provided much-needed firepower in the powerplay. His unavailability forces PBKS to rethink their bowling strategy.

To fill the void, Punjab have roped in Kyle Jamieson, another New Zealand pacer known for his ability to generate bounce and movement with the new ball. Jamieson, who was previously part of Chennai Super Kings and had a brief stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore, brings international experience and a different dynamic with his height and length. Signed at INR 2 Crore, Jamieson’s arrival gives PBKS a capable right-arm option who can operate both with the new ball and in middle overs.

PBKS have often struggled with consistency in death bowling, and while Jamieson is not a natural death-over specialist, his inclusion offers a tall seam option to partner with the likes of Arshdeep Singh and Sam Curran. As Punjab push for qualification, managing workloads and smart rotations will be crucial, especially with Ferguson’s absence.

Gujarat Titans Replace Jos Buttler with Kusal Mendis

Defending champions Gujarat Titans will lose Jos Buttler to international duty from May 26, following their final league game against Chennai Super Kings on May 25. Buttler, a mid-season signing and one of GT’s vital top-order anchors, will return to England for national commitments, in preparation for their upcoming white-ball series and T20 World Cup build-up.

To mitigate the impact of Buttler's exit, GT have signed Kusal Mendis the Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter for INR 75 Lakh. Mendis brings with him a wealth of international experience and a reputation for aggressive stroke play. His recent performances for Sri Lanka in both T20Is and ODIs have been marked by composure and shot-making versatility.

While Mendis may not bring the same firepower as Buttler, he offers GT a capable middle-order option who can also double up as a keeper if needed. His signing ensures squad balance remains intact during the playoff window, when match pressure and adaptability are at a premium.

GT's head coach and management have often favoured dynamic overseas picks, and Mendis’ addition fits their strategy of multi-utility players who can deliver across phases. With Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and David Miller forming a stable top three, Mendis is likely to slot into the lower middle order, offering stability during high-stakes run chases.

LSG Bring in William O’Rourke to Replace Injured Mayank Yadav

Perhaps the most disappointing news for Lucknow Super Giants is the injury to Mayank Yadav, whose fiery pace and game-changing spells had made him one of the breakout stars of IPL 2025. The young Indian speedster has been diagnosed with a back injury and will not take further part this season a major blow to LSG's bowling unit.

To replace him, LSG have signed New Zealand pacer William O’Rourke for INR 3 Crore. O’Rourke has steadily built a name for himself in New Zealand’s domestic circuit and made his international debut earlier this year. Standing over 6 feet 4 inches, O’Rourke combines bounce with swing and has the ability to extract movement under lights.

While he is relatively new to the IPL ecosystem, LSG’s decision to back a tall overseas pacer is in line with their need to fill the high-speed void left by Mayank. The team management will be hopeful that O’Rourke can quickly adapt to subcontinental conditions and provide breakthroughs with the new ball.

His entry also strengthens LSG’s pace reserves, which include Naveen-ul-Haq, Mark Wood, and Mohsin Khan, providing Captain KL Rahul with multiple seam options as they head into the business end of the league.

Replacements Reflect Franchises’ Tactical Depth and Forward Planning

These mid-season changes underscore the dynamic nature of modern T20 leagues where injury management, player availability, and international scheduling often require quick decision-making and strategic foresight. All three replacements Jamieson, Mendis, and O’Rourke bring different skill sets and international experience, which their franchises will hope to utilize in clutch moments.

With the IPL 2025 playoffs just around the corner, maintaining momentum and managing squad transitions becomes crucial. Teams that adapt fastest and get the best out of their bench strength usually go deepest in the tournament.