Mumbai Indians’ Ryan Rickelton, left, celebrates his fifty runs with Rohit Sharma. (AP photo) MUMBAI: If someone had said ahead of IPL 2026 that Ryan Rickelton would emerge as the standout performer for Mumbai Indians in a squad full of superstars, it might have sounded far-fetched.Yet in a season where MI has largely faltered and its big guns failed, the left-handed South African opener has been a rare bright spot. Rickelton is MI’s leading run-scorer this season, with 380 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 190.95 — second best among batsmen with more than 300 runs.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!His dream run began with a 43-ball 81 with eight sixes as MI launched their biggest ever IPL chase and broke their long-running streak of losing opening matches.He followed it up with a brilliant 123 off 51 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Against Lucknow Super Giants on Monday, he smashed a brutal 83 off 32, including eight sixes, to help MI chase down 229 – now their most successful chase – with ease. Rickelton has been central to MI’s strong starts and has made three centuries in opening partnerships this season. He forged big stands twice with Rohit Sharma. The pair added 148 in 71 balls in the opener against Kolkata Knight Riders and followed it up with a 143-run stand in just 65 balls against LSG, making the chase a formality.Rickelton credited their “chemistry” for the success. “Rohit is just really good – that’s just the chemistry. It’s great to be back with him at the start. He’s been out for a while and to see him come back and play so freely is special. We complement each other well as a left-right pair,” he said.“Sometimes he gets going quickly and takes the pressure off me; sometimes it’s the other way around. It’s a treat to watch him hit in full swing – he plays shots that I can only dream of,” added Rickelton.The South African also revealed that he benefited from Rohit’s experience. “I’ve picked his brain a bit – not only about T20s but Tests and ODIs as well. It’s not always life-changing advice, but it’s about how he handles pressure, stays calm and supports his game. It’s special to bat with one of India’s best,” he said. Since 2025, Rickelton and Rohit have opened together 18 times, for a combined 825 runs, including three century stands and two fifties. Much of Rickelton’s success came at the Wankhede Stadium where he thrived under the lights. He now averages 54.50 at the venue in 12 IPL matches, with one century and four fifties. “I’m really enjoying batting here. There’s a nice pace on the pitch, you get great value for your shots and the ball really flies,” he said.Rickelton also had to deal with stiff competition from compatriot Quinton de Kock. He started the season ahead of de Kock, later partnered with him when Rohit got injured, was briefly sidelined before returning when de Kock suffered a wrist injury.“It was difficult to have a player of Quinny’s caliber on the bench. It can put extra pressure on you, especially when everyone is calling for him to play,” admitted Rickelton.“At the same time, he was very supportive. He was the first to joke about me not getting a hundred last night! He helped me a lot, watching my batting and suggesting minor adjustments,” he added.
