Quinton de Kock does not do fuss. Drafted in only because Rohit Sharma’s sore calf kept him out of Thursday night’s match against Punjab Kings, the left-hander strolled out, surveyed the field, and finished unbeaten on 112 from 60 deliveries. Mumbai Indians still lost the game, yet the century – just the second of this IPL season – shifts the conversation about who should partner Rohit once he is fit.
Eight fours, seven sixes, barely a bead of sweat. Former Australia captain Aaron Finch, watching on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut, reckoned the serenity came from perspective.
“The difference between Quinton de Kock and somebody else coming in in that position, where you’ve been sitting on the bench, is that he’s probably pretty content with his career,” Finch said. “He’s thinking, you know what, I’m going to be back-up to Ryan Rickelton most likely. He gets an opportunity when Rohit gets injured. So he comes in and he’s just relaxed, he’s calm. His heart rate doesn’t seem to be above 60 too often. Nothing seems to faze him.
“So that just goes to show a guy who’s really at peace with where his career’s at compared to somebody else who might think, you know what, I need to get runs today to maybe get another opportunity. So he’s able to be a bit more free-flowing and just back his skill and not get too overawed by that situation or what’s down the track.”
A quick rewind. De Kock was central to MI’s back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2020, scoring 529 and 503 runs. Then came Test retirement, a short-lived ODI exit, a period out of South Africa’s T20 side and, briefly, the sense that cricket was no longer the first priority. Now 33, he has re-emerged – still without Test ambitions, but available for white-ball duty and clearly fresh enough for franchise work.
Meanwhile Ryan Rickelton, eight years younger and built more on hustle than muscle, forced his way into MI’s XI at the start of the tournament. An 81 against KKR looked to have cemented his spot. Head coach Mahela Jayawardene was quizzed about that call again after the Punjab fixture.
“You didn’t ask me that question when Ryan got that 80 [81] against KKR,” Jayawardene replied, smiling. “These are the margins that we play [with]. I still feel that we are making the right decisions at the right time and going through… yeah, I mean, it’s good to have that competition within the group as well. There’s nothing wrong in that. And once the guys put their hand up and acknowledge those, you know, then we will have a look at it. So it’s good to have that.
“From the first game, you guys asked me: why Ryan, why not Quinny? And there was a reason for it. And when the time was right, we played Quinny and he patiently waited like a good pro and he executed a brilliant innings. It’s great to have that,” Jayawardene added.
The coach’s point is hard to dispute. Rickelton offers left-hand stability, keeps wickets when required, and attacks the powerplay with sweeps and reverse-sweeps – strokes de Kock rarely plays. De Kock, though, brings a record of 46 IPL matches for MI at a touch under 33 and a strike-rate north of 135, plus the unteachable calm Finch highlighted.
Where does Rohit fit once he recovers? The obvious solution is to recall the long-time captain and weigh form, not reputation, for the second berth. MI have used both overseas fast bowlers and spinners in the middle overs, so sacrificing a non-Indian opener affects bowling balance. It may come down to venues: higher bounce in Mumbai can suit Rickelton’s back-foot play; slower surfaces could favour de Kock’s drives and pick-ups.
Another layer is South Africa’s calendar. De Kock remains a central figure for their white-ball sides after reversing that ODI retirement in September 2025. He is likely to join their preparatory camp for the Champions Trophy soon after the IPL, whereas Rickelton has fewer international demands. Continuity later in the season might lean the argument his way.
For now, MI face a rare luxury problem: two in-form left-hand openers and, if Rohit returns next week, room for just one. A year ago they were scrambling to plug gaps; now selection meetings involve genuine choice rather than damage control. That is the kind of headache most coaches will take.
A decision may be required as early as Sunday. If conditions suggest a 180-plus track, the more explosive option – and yes, after Thursday that might be de Kock – could start. Should the pitch hint at 160 being par, Rickelton’s ability to badger runs could hold sway. Neither scenario feels final; both openers know one big score could shift the debate again.
Either way, Finch’s closing words ring true: the trick is to stay relaxed. It worked for de Kock on Thursday. It might yet define MI’s season.
