Will Jacks praises Ryan Rickelton's 123 as MI post 243 against SRH in IPL 2026
Synopsis
Will Jacks came back swinging. After time away, the MI opener combined with late-call Ryan Rickelton to stitch a 78-run Powerplay blitz, lifting Mumbai to 243 — a 'batting paradise' total that even Jacks admits SRH can chase on a pitch favouring stroke-play. The real contest lies with MI's bowlers.
Key Takeaways
Will Jacks and Ryan Rickelton combined for a dominant opening stand, propelling MI to 243 for 5 against SRH on 29 April 2026 .
Rickelton , stepping in for an unwell Quinton de Kock , scored 123 , his first match of the season.
Jacks finished the Powerplay on 46 off 22 balls (five fours, two sixes); MI scored 78 runs in six overs — their second-highest Powerplay total this season.
Jacks praised the aggressive approach and described the pitch as a "batting paradise," but cautioned that high scores have been chased down regularly this tournament.
Slower-ball bouncers proved the toughest deliveries to negotiate for MI 's batters.
Will Jacks returned from a break in scintillating form on 29 April, anchoring Mumbai Indians to a commanding total of 243 for 5 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026. The English batter credited an aggressive approach and a stellar opening partnership with Ryan Rickelton, who stepped in as a late replacement for an unwell Quinton de Kock, for the explosive innings.
Jacks and Rickelton's dominance
Jacks and Rickelton dismantled SRH's bowling attack, combining for a first-wicket stand that set the tone for the innings. Rickelton, playing his first match of the season, delivered a match-defining 123, while Jacks contributed a brisk knock built on boundaries and aggressive field placement. The pair scored 78 runs in the Powerplay alone — MI's second-highest opening phase total of the season — at a strike rate of 13 runs per over, a sharp rise from the team's pre-match Powerplay average of 8.55.
How the innings unfolded
Jacks broke the ice against Pat Cummins with a boundary over mid-on, easing the early pressure. Rickelton then took charge, flicking Praful Hinge over deep midwicket for six. Jacks followed with a sharp square drive, and the pair never relented. Jacks finished the Powerplay on 46 off 22 balls (five fours, two sixes), showcasing the freedom the MI batting unit was afforded.
What Jacks said
"Buzzing to be here after having some time off. Brilliant pitch, and what we spoke about was playing with freedom," Jacks said after the first innings. "Loved batting with Ryan — amazing innings. Ryan got a late call-up after Quinny was not feeling well. The last few times I have been here, it has been a batting paradise. We know we have our work cut out even though we have 243. They bowled a lot of slower ball bouncers, and that was probably the hardest ball to hit. It is a big score, but we have seen so many high scores chased down. We are in a good position, but we have to bowl well."
The challenge ahead
MI's total of 243 ranks among the tournament's highest, yet Jacks sounded a note of caution. The pitch conditions — described as a "batting paradise" — suggest SRH will have opportunities to chase. Jacks acknowledged that slower-ball bouncers proved the most difficult to negotiate, a tactic SRH may employ again with the bat. The onus now falls on MI's bowling unit to defend a score that, while formidable, remains chaseable on a track favouring batters.
Point of View
But the real story is MI's strategic pivot. They've ditched caution for aggression — a calculated bet on a Powerplay-first template. The risk: if early wickets fall, 243 becomes a glass house. SRH's bowlers learned the hard way that on this surface, defensive cricket is a losing proposition. The chase will tell whether MI's 'batting paradise' thesis holds or cracks.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many runs did Ryan Rickelton score in his debut for MI this season?
Ryan Rickelton scored 123 runs, stepping in as a late replacement for Quinton de Kock who was unwell. He played a match-defining innings that anchored MI's total of 243 for 5.
What was MI's Powerplay score and how does it compare to their season average?
MI scored 78 runs in the Powerplay against SRH, their second-highest opening phase total of IPL 2026. This marks a significant jump from their pre-match Powerplay average of 8.55 runs per over.
How many runs did Will Jacks score in the Powerplay?
Will Jacks scored 46 runs off 22 balls during the Powerplay, hitting five fours and two sixes. He set the tone with an early boundary off Pat Cummins and continued attacking throughout the opening six overs.
What did Will Jacks say about the pitch and MI's approach?
Jacks described the pitch as a 'batting paradise' and emphasised that MI's strategy was to 'play with freedom.' However, he acknowledged that despite the 243-run total, high scores have been chased down frequently in IPL 2026, suggesting the match remains competitive.
Which bowler did MI target most aggressively in the Powerplay?
MI targeted Praful Hinge most aggressively, with Rickelton flicking him over deep midwicket for six. Pat Cummins generated early movement but was also attacked by both openers, particularly with boundaries over mid-on and through extra cover.
