MUMBAI INDIANS CALL FOR IPL PLAYOFF REINFORCEMENTS

Sunrisers Eastern Cape fast bowler Richard Gleeson along with Joburg Super Kings batter Jonny Bairstow are set to join Mumbai Indians for the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs.

The English duo along with Sri Lankan Charith Asalanka are set to replace MI Cape Town pair Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch along with Pretoria Capitals’ Will Jacks.

Rickelton and Bosch are due to join up with the Proteas Test squad for the World Test Championship final at Lord’s next month, while Jacks is part of England’s T20 squad to face the West Indies.

Betway SA20 leading run-scorer Rickelton is second on MI's charts this season behind Rohit Sharma, with 336 runs at 30.54 and a strike rate of 153.42 in his 12 innings.

After initially playing for Durban’s Super Giants in Betway SA20 Season 2, Gleeson moved to the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in Season 3.

The lanky fast bowler enjoyed a profitable season with the two-times champions, claiming 14 wickets at an average of 24.3 to place him fourth on the overall competition table.

He played two matches in the IPL last season as a replacement player for Chennai Super Kings.

Meanwhile, Bairstow joined the Joburg Super Kings in Betway SA20 Season 3 and immediately topped JSK’s batting averages with 38.66 at a strike-rate of 134.10 to lead his Wanderers-based side to a third consecutive playoff place.

Bairstow has previously made 50 IPL appearances across five seasons, representing Sunrisers Hyderabad (2019-21) and Punjab Kings (2022 and 2024). He has an impressive IPL record, averaging 34.54 and striking at 144.45.