IPL 2025: Jonny Bairstow and Richard Gleeson Poised to Replace Jacks and Rickelton at Mumbai Indians for Playoffs

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IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians are gearing up for a crucial phase of IPL 2025 with key squad changes expected ahead of the playoffs. As Will Jacks and Ryan Rickelton prepare to depart for international duties.

England's Jonny Bairstow and fellow countryman Richard Gleeson are in advanced talks to join the franchise as temporary replacements - a move that could significantly bolster MI's chances in the knockout stages.

Jacks, a vital all-rounder for MI this season, has already returned to India for the team's final two group games. However, his availability beyond that is ruled out due to England's ODI series against West Indies clashing with the playoffs schedule. Rickelton, MI's second-highest run-scorer after Rohit Sharma, faces a similar dilemma, with Cricket South Africa recalling him to join their Test squad for the prestigious World Test Championship final.

ESPNcricinfo reports that Bairstow is likely to step in for Jacks, subject to receiving a No-Objection Certificate from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The wicketkeeper-batsman went unsold in the mega auction last November and hasn't featured for England since June 2024. Bairstow is currently captaining Yorkshire in the County Championship and would have to miss a handful of domestic fixtures if his IPL contract materialises.

With 50 IPL matches under his belt across five seasons, Bairstow brings a wealth of experience to the table. Having previously represented Sunrisers Hyderabad (2019-21) and Punjab Kings (2022 and 2024), he boasts an impressive IPL batting average of 34.54 and a strike rate of 144.45. Notably, Bairstow has two IPL centuries to his name, including a match-winning knock in a record-breaking run chase at Eden Gardens last year. Mumbai Indians will also benefit from his ability to keep wickets, offering them greater flexibility in team selection.

Jacks has been a key figure for MI throughout IPL 2025, contributing 195 runs and five wickets in nine innings while earning Player-of-the-Match awards in victories over Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants. Rickelton, with 336 runs at a strike rate of 153.42, has been MI's dependable middle-order anchor and will be a difficult void to fill.

Enter Richard Gleeson, the 37-year-old fast bowler who impressed during his IPL debut last year with Chennai Super Kings. Gleeson, currently contracted with Warwickshire on white-ball terms, would miss a couple of T20 Blast matches to link up with Mumbai Indians. His knack for delivering crucial breakthroughs in the death overs will be invaluable for MI's bowling attack, especially given the high-pressure environment of IPL playoffs.

Mumbai Indians currently sit fourth on the points table, holding onto playoff qualification hopes with two group-stage games remaining against Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings. After a slow start to the season, MI embarked on a thrilling six-match winning streak before a narrow loss to Gujarat Titans halted their momentum. The IPL's temporary suspension due to geopolitical tensions has only heightened anticipation around these final matches.

MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene summed up the situation perfectly: "Losing players like Jacks and Rickelton is tough, but bringing in experienced players like Bairstow and Gleeson gives us the balance we need for the playoffs. It's about adapting quickly and making the most of the squad at our disposal."

As Mumbai Indians brace for the challenges ahead, these high-profile replacements could be the X-factor that propels them deep into the tournament. IPL 2025's knockout stages promise to be a gripping spectacle, and the fresh faces of Bairstow and Gleeson might just add the spark MI needs to chase their seventh IPL title.