Jonny Bairstow's Mumbai Indians deal inked with 1 more English player for IPL 2025

Mumbai Indians (MI) are in action to make arrangements for temporary replacements if the franchise makes it to the playoffs in IPL 2025. England players Jonny Bairstow and Richard Gleeson could replace Will Jacks and Ryan Rickelton, respectively, should they qualify for the playoffs.

The five-time champions had won six consecutive matches this season. They are fourth on the IPL 2025 points table with 14 points from 12 games. To secure a spot in the playoffs, MI will likely need to win both of their remaining league matches. They will next take on Delhi Capitals (DC) in Mumbai on May 21.

Will Jacks and Ryan Rickelton Unlikely to Be Available for IPL 2025 Playoffs

Will Jacks joined Mumbai Indians for the final two games of the IPL 2025 league stage. However, he will depart the Hardik Pandya-led side after May 27, as he has been named in the England squad for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against the West Indies, which is set to commence on May 29.

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Ryan Rickelton is MI’s second-leading run-scorer this season with 336 runs. He is likely to leave before the playoffs. Corbin Bosch is also expected to leave. Both players have been informed by Cricket South Africa to return home by May 27 to prepare for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final.

Jonny Bairstow in Advanced Talks to Join Mumbai Indians as Temporary Replacement

According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, Jonny Bairstow is being considered as a replacement for Will Jacks for the IPL 2025 knockout stages, subject to a No-Objection Certificate. Jonny Bairstow went unsold in last November’s mega-auction and hasn’t played for England since June 2024.

The batter would join Mumbai Indians after captaining Yorkshire in a County Championship match. Jonny Bairstow will miss one Championship game and two T20 Blast fixtures. He also provides a useful wicketkeeping option for Mumbai Indians, in the absence of Ryan Rickelton.

Bairstow has played 50 IPL matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings. He scored 1,589 runs with an average of 34.54 and a strike rate of 144.45, including two centuries in the IPL. Notably, he scored an unbeaten 108 off 48 balls for Punjab Kings against Kolkata Knight Riders last year.

Richard Gleeson Might Replace Ryan Rickelton for IPL 2025 Playoffs

Richard Gleeson made his IPL debut last year with Chennai Super Kings. He played two matches as a replacement player.

The 37-year-old pacer has a white-ball contract with Warwickshire and would miss the county’s first two T20 Blast games if he joins the five-time IPL champions.

Hardik Pandya's team won just one game out of their first five matches. However, they bounced back with six consecutive wins to stay in the race for the IPL 2025 playoffs. They were narrowly defeated by Gujarat Titans before the league was suspended for one week due to India-Pakistan tensions.

Also read: Bangladesh Cricket Board gets government clearance for Pakistan tour amid Indo-Pak tensions