FAMILIAR MI CAPE TOWN FACES HELPS RICKELTON SETTLE IN AT IPL

Ryan Rickleton feels his experience gained during Betway SA20 has helped with “an easier transition” to the Indian Premier League.

Rickelton is the leading run-scorer in Betway SA20 history having enjoyed three prolific seasons with MI Cape Town.

These performances certainly made an impression on Mumbai Indians with the five-times IPL champions snapping up the blockbusting opener for IPL 2025.

Rickleton admits that the IPL “is a different beast” and “I'm not going to lie, it's hard”, but after three matches he has shown his worth with an undefeated half-century against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders.

The MI Cape Town and Mumbai Indians enjoy a crossover of staff and Rickelton believes this has allowed him to settle in quickly.

"It's been a nice introduction into the group, the family - and obviously meeting Akash [Ambani, the MI owner] and everyone as well," Rickelton said.

"It's not just coming in blind, so it has been an easier transition. But the IPL is a different beast on its own, so to mentally work my head around that is a bit of a different one for me… Luckily, I've got a few familiar faces around."

Rickelton is the only South African to play for the same team across Betway SA20 and IPL this season, but this number will surely increase in the years ahead.

Although 28 years old already and seasoned domestic cricketer back in South Africa, Rickelton admits he still feels like a rookie at the IPL in his first season.

And just like a Rookie, he is hoping to extract as much information from his legendary Mumbai Indians opening partner and India ODI captain Rohit Sharma.

“Obviously you're opening the batting from the Mumbai Indians with Rohit Sharma. There's always going to be pressure internally and obviously externally as well,” Rickelton said.

“But he's a phenomenal player. The opportunity to open a batting with him is incredible for me.

“Just the way he talks about the game and the stuff he's looking for and the way he can help me as well is great. Like I say, we know he's a phenomenal player.”

Much like Newlands, the home of MI Cape Town, attracted sold out crowds across the five home league games the past Betway SA20 Season, Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium was filled to the brim for the first home game of the IPL season.

Rickelton certainly fed off the energy of the Wankhede Stadium in his maiden outing there.

“It's my first game here at the Wankhede. It's special to see obviously how the colours and how everyone gets around the team and obviously the players as well. So yeah, it was a great experience,” he said.

“I think that's why a lot of players play, it's for the fans. And it was awesome to be out there and experience it.”