The Mumbai Indians have brought in Jonny Bairstow, Richard Gleeson, and Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka as short-term replacements. They step in for Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton, and Corbin Bosch, who will be departing for international duties after their final league match.
According to the IPL’s announcement, Bairstow joins for ₹5.25 crore, while Gleeson and Asalanka come in at ₹1 crore and ₹75 lakhs respectively. These players will be called upon in case the Mumbai Indians secure a spot in the playoffs. As it stands, Mumbai and Delhi Capitals are eagerly contesting the last spot in the top four, with a pivotal match between them scheduled for Wednesday. This upcoming fixture will be the team’s first game since the IPL’s suspension, which was due to rising cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.
The outgoing players have commitments that begin soon after their final match with the Punjab Kings on May 26. Jacks will join his national team for a series against the West Indies, while both Rickelton and Bosch are required for South Africa’s preparations ahead of the World Test Championship final.
Bairstow, interestingly, went unsold in the mega auction last November and hasn’t played for England since June 2024. His immediate plans include captaining Yorkshire in a County Championship fixture before heading to India, during which he will miss a couple of T20 Blast matches. Bairstow boasts a solid IPL record with 50 appearances, averaging 34.54 and striking at 144.45, including two centuries—one of which was a standout performance at Eden Gardens last year.
Gleeson, aged 37, made a brief appearance in the IPL last year with Chennai Super Kings. He is currently contracted with Warwickshire for white-ball cricket and will also miss their first two T20 Blast matches this season.
Asalanka, captaining Sri Lanka’s white-ball team, hasn’t had a go in the IPL yet. Nakular choices for players moving to India, following in the footsteps of Kusal Mendis.
Rickelton has been a vital player for the Mumbai Indians this season, standing as the second-highest run-scorer for the team. In 12 innings, he’s amassed 336 runs at an average of 30.54, with an impressive strike rate of 153.42. Meanwhile, Jacks has contributed both with the bat, scoring 195 runs in nine innings, and with the ball, taking five wickets with his off-break deliveries.
Despite the changes, Mumbai Indians continue to battle hard, balancing the departures and arrivals, both hoping for and working towards a successful end to their campaign.
