Ryan Rickelton targets quick start in IPL after stellar T20 World Cup
Indian Premier League
Fresh off a stellar World Cup run with the Proteas, Ryan Rickelton is ready to hit the ground running for Mumbai Indians. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Mumbai Indians batter Ryan Rickelton, having had a good start in T20 cricket this year, looks to make an early impact in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
This year, both in the SA20 and in the green and gold of the Proteas T20I team, Rickelton has looked in good nick. The left-handed batter has scored big runs and did so at a healthy rate, a combination that is highly sought after in franchise T20 cricket.
The 29-year-old has been able to stand up and perform in big games, as he played a key role in getting the Proteas to the semi-final of the recently concluded 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Rickelton says he looks to carry that form into the IPL.
“I'm obviously looking forward to the IPL. I felt like I've been hitting the ball quite nicely this year, so looking forward to obviously trying to roll that on. It's going to be a different challenge,” he said.
“The IPL's long, so finding that balance throughout the whole tournament can be quite hard, but I'll definitely take some confidence in what I've achieved this year and looking forward to obviously trying to expand on it.”
Rickelton put an emphasis on having an early impact in the tournament and getting a good start instead of taking a while to find his groove. The 29-year-old added that he learnt important lessons last season as he debuted in the IPL.
“There are lessons learnt. There’s plenty I suppose, more based on Indian conditions and how the IPL works,” he said.
“Again, it ranges from team to team, venue to venue, but just trying to grow I suppose. I felt like I've grown a lot since the last experience to keep just trying to get better and improve and try to become a more formidable force within the T20 space in the world.
“But, like I said, I will be trying to have an instant and early impact for the side and try and just make sure I can do my job as best as I can.”
Rickelton, alongside his Mumbai Indians teammates including fellow South African Quinton de Kock, are set to get their campaign going at the Wankhede on Sunday, as they host Kolkata Knight Riders.
Last season's champions, Royal Challengers Bangalore, are set to play the tournament opener on Saturday, as they host Sunrisers Hyderabad. South African Heinrich Klaasen will most likely take the stage as one of the middle-order batters in the Sunrisers Hyderabad team.