New Delhi, April 3 (NationPress) Mumbai Indians' head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, expressed that it was a straightforward choice to begin the IPL 2026 season with South African wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton as the opening partner for Rohit Sharma. This decision was primarily influenced by Quinton de Kock's position as a backup overseas wicketkeeper for the team.

Despite some initial skepticism regarding Rickelton's selection over the seasoned de Kock, he proved his worth by scoring a magnificent 83 runs in the Mumbai Indians' six-wicket victory against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), which included an impressive eight sixes.

As Mumbai Indians prepare for their first afternoon match of IPL 2026 against Delhi Capitals this Saturday, Rickelton is eager to capitalize on the short square boundaries of Arun Jaitley Stadium, aiming to provide the five-time champions with another electrifying start in the tournament.

“When we acquired Ryan at the major auction, we recognized his potential and capabilities. His performance in domestic and international cricket over the past two years has been exceptional. Last year, his partnership with Rohit was highly successful for us,” Jayawardene noted.

“Bringing Quinton back presented an opportunity for us. We faced a challenge as local Indian wicketkeepers were priced exorbitantly in the mini-auction, so we needed a backup. We pivoted to include an overseas backup, and Quinny was an excellent fit for us,” he added during a pre-match press conference when asked by IANS.

In the IPL, Rickelton has played 15 innings, amassing 469 runs at an average of 33.5 and a striking strike rate of 156, including four half-centuries. In 2026, he has maintained his form, scoring 632 runs in 19 innings at an average of 42.1 and an even more impressive strike rate of 163, with three fifties and a century.

Jayawardene emphasized the franchise's appreciation for stability in its playing eleven, making Rickelton's inclusion an obvious choice. “He is familiar with our setup and has been consistently scoring. We have good depth in our options. This stability is something we value, and we have no intention of altering that combination,” he stated.

“As a franchise, we prioritize continuity. The entire group is significant, and players embrace this philosophy. Quinny isn’t disturbed by not playing; he is part of our structure, and we felt that Ryan's current form warranted our trust in him,” he elaborated.

Regarding the upcoming match against DC, fresh off a six-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants, Jayawardene acknowledged that the Axar Patel-led team will be tough opponents on their home ground.

“This should be an exciting match. They are a formidable team. In IPL, every home team poses a challenge, and we respect that. It’s their first game here as well, which gives us a slight edge. We will focus on our strengths while adapting strategically to the conditions,” he remarked.

Additionally, Jayawardene expressed confidence in young Afghanistan spinner AM Ghazanfar, who allowed 51 runs against KKR, calling him a valuable long-term asset. “He is a future prospect. We believe that with his height and capabilities, he will develop further. He requires more game time,” he stated.

“Leading up to IPL, he didn’t have much match exposure. He was supposed to play against Sri Lanka, but that match was canceled in the UAE. I’m not concerned; I think he bowled well overall.”

“He had just a few bad deliveries in that game. We analyze performances thoroughly. His execution and ball speed were solid. On a good pitch, even established spinners like Narine and Varun faced challenges,” he explained.

“Having such an X-factor bowler in our squad, alongside players like Mitch, Jacksy, and Mayank, offers us diverse options in various conditions. As the tournament progresses, we’ll have all our options available as the pitches slow down. We view Ghazanfar as a significant asset, which is why he is part of our team at this stage,” he concluded.