England all-rounder Will Jacks is set to arrive in India later this week to link up with Mumbai Indians, having missed the franchise’s first four matches of the IPL 2026 season after a long stretch of international cricket.
The 27-year-old took time off after a tough run that saw him appear in four of England’s five Tests during The Ashes before moving to the white-ball section for the tour of Sri Lanka and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Jacks proved to be one of England’s most impressive players during the World Cup he scored 226 and took nine wickets as he progressed to the semi-finals, reinforcing his value as a multi-dimensional option in the T20 format.
His arrival comes at a critical juncture for Mumbai Indians, who struggled at the start of the season with a rising power. The five-time champions have only managed to win once from their opening four matches and are currently in the bottom half of the table. Their last outing, a heavy defeat chasing 241 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Wankhede Stadium, has added to the pressure on the side, especially in terms of their bowling execution and decision-making at key moments.
Mumbai Indians batting coach Kieron Pollard has confirmed that Jacks is expected to join the team soon and addressed the speculation regarding his fitness. “We’re expecting Will Jacks very soon. How you alluded to fitness issues, as far as I know, I don’t know anything about that. We’re a 20-plus squad. And he’s not here at the moment. But he’ll be here soon,” Pollard said during the pre-match press conference.
Pollard also hinted that Jacks’ all-round ability could provide the balance that Mumbai Indians lacked in their opening matches. With the ability to contribute with both bat and ball, Jacks offers flexibility to the side, especially in the middle overs where Mumbai struggle to control games.
However, the focus remains on captain Hardik Pandya, who has come under scrutiny for his decisions on the field despite the recent success in India’s World T20 campaign where they won. Mumbai’s performances so far have raised questions about their tactical approach and consistency, especially given the depth and experience available to the team.
With the crucial stage of the tournament approaching, Mumbai will next face Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings. Another game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru follows soon after, making the Jacks a timely return as the team looks to stabilize their campaign.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
14 Apr 2026 18:23 IST
