3 Players Who Can Replace Ryan Rickelton in Mumbai Indians for IPL 2025

Just like the England players involved in the home ODI series against the West Indies won’t be available for the playoffs of IPL 2025, it’s the same fate with the South African players.

The eight Protea players, involved in both the league and the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final against Australia, are expected to leave India on May 25, as per the initial no-objection certificate. Mumbai Indians will be affected a lot by the absence of Ryan Rickelton.

Ryan Rickelton is expected to miss the IPL 2025 playoffs

The wicket-keeper batter, Ryan Rickelton, is a vital member for both the franchise and the national side. He has clubbed 336 runs for the Mumbai Indians this year in 12 innings at an average of 30.54 and a strike rate of 153.42, shouldering three half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 62 runs.

Reports claimed that given the importance of the WTC final, the CSA is hopeful that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will understand the decision of not extending the NOCs.

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The Temba Bavuma-led side will arrive in England on May 31 and then face Zimbabwe in a four-day warm-up fixture from June 03, the day when the IPL final will take place.

Mumbai is in a position to potentially qualify for the playoffs of the IPL 2025, and Ryan Rickelton's contribution with Rohit Sharma in the opening position has so much importance behind it.

In his absence, the management will need to find a few players for the remainder of the season.

Here are three players who can replace Ryan Rickelton in the Mumbai Indians for IPL 2025

1. Prithvi Shaw (India)

The Indian opening batter, Prithvi Shaw, at the age of 25, has contributed immensely to the national side. In 79 innings of the tournament, the right-handed batter has smashed 1892 runs at an average of 23.94 and a strike rate of 147.46, thanks to 14 half-centuries at the best score of 99.

In the 2023 season of the competition, Shaw managed just 198 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 163.63, with the best score of 66 runs. However, his struggle in various tournaments continued, and that saw him get unsold during the mega auction of the tournament.

Shaw is an aggressive batter and could be the right replacement for Ryan Rickelton. Having played at the Wankhede Stadium since his childhood, he will get familiar with the conditions rapidly.

2. Leus Du Plooy (South Africa)

If the Mumbai Indians management wants, then they could open the batting with Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav, with Naman Dhir coming at number three. That will open the number four spot, where the southpaw, Leus Du Plooy, could contribute with the bat.

He hasn’t played in the Indian Premier League yet, but has been part of the Johannesburg Super Kings (JSK) in the SA20. In 26 innings, he has notched up 743 runs at an average of 39.10 and a strike rate of 141.79, celebrating five half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 81 runs.

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Leus could be another option to replace Ryan Rickelton for the rest of the IPL 2025.

3. Jonny Bairstow (England)

The England wicket-keeper batter, Jonny Bairstow, was unsold during the mega auction of the event. And that could be a good chance for him to come to India for 10 days to make a huge difference.

Bairstow notched up 298 runs in 11 innings during the 2024 season of the league with a strike rate of 152.82, thanks to the best score of an unbeaten 108 runs against the Kolkata Knight Riders.

In place of Ryan Rickelton, he could also handle the wicket-keeping responsibility and open the batting.