The Rise—and Pause—of a Dynamic Opening Duo
You don’t often see an opening combination turn a team’s struggles around overnight, but that’s what Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton did for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025. Their explosive partnership of 116 runs against the Rajasthan Royals not only lit up the Jaipur evening but also became the 4th-highest partnership in Mumbai Indians' long history. For a team that’s had legendary openers, that’s no small feat.
For 12 overs, they batted like they owned the place. Rohit, India’s seasoned opener, and Rickelton, the powerful South African left-hander, looked unstoppable on a surface that clearly played to the batters. That opening stand didn’t just set the tone for the match; it gave Mumbai Indians a sense of stability that had been missing all season. Rickelton made it clear he wasn't just a backup—he was MI's second-highest run-scorer this season, hammering 336 runs at a punchy 153.42 strike rate. He had the confidence and the shots to take on any attack, making him a standout signing.
The Rohit Dilemma and the Search for Stability
But here’s where things get tricky. While Rohit Sharma has given fans plenty of fireworks—take his run of 76*, 70, and 53 during MI’s six-game winning streak—his numbers don’t always tell a happy story. Across 13 games, he managed 329 runs at an average of 27.42. Not terrible, but not the consistency you’d expect from MI’s all-time batting talisman. The frustration showed in matches like the do-or-die clash with Punjab Kings, where he limped to 24 off 21 balls. That loss by seven wickets stung. When Rohit struggles, Mumbai’s batting lineup suddenly looks awfully thin at the top.
Just as MI fans were starting to feel the energy from this new combo, bad timing hit hard. Rickelton—alongside fellow South African Corbin Bosch—had to leave midway for CSA’s World Test Championship duties. You could almost hear the air escape from MI’s playoff hype balloon. Both players had been regulars in the XI, with Rickelton providing crucial runs and aggressive intent at the top, and Bosch offering handy all-round skills.
The MI management acted fast, flying in experienced Englishmen Jonny Bairstow and seamer Richard Gleeson as replacements. But let’s be real: plugging those gaps this late in the season isn’t easy. Bairstow brings big-match pedigree and the ability to open or float, but fitting him in and finding the right rhythm takes time. Gleeson, while reliable, is untested in the MI setup and will have his work cut out for him right away.
Right now, Mumbai’s hopes sit squarely on Rohit regaining his touch. When he’s at his best, Wankhede crowds fall silent in anticipation and bowlers look nervous. MI’s middle-order can only do so much if the top order stumbles—and everyone knows the playoffs demand a steady hand at the wheel. If Bairstow and Gleeson click, there’s hope for a late surge. But as the campaign reaches its sharp end, MI’s rollercoaster season just got a lot more unpredictable.
