Will Jacks or Ryan Rickelton - who should be Rohit Sharma's opening partner at MI after IPL 2025 Auction?
Five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have fallen off a cliff in the last few IPL seasons after back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2020. With only one playoff appearance over the previous four editions, MI had much to do heading into the 2025 season.
After retaining five core players - Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma, the franchise made several smart buys during the IPL 2025 auction to assemble a well-rounded squad. Yet, the MI squad is without Ishan Kishan, a player who has been with them since 2018, opening the batting predominantly with Rohit Sharma.
Kishan endured an indifferent last year with the bat and off the field, resulting in the franchise parting ways with the wicketkeeper-batter. Instead, they acquired England's Will Jacks and South Africa's Rickelton as the likely opening partners for Rohit in the upcoming IPL season.
While the attacking duo brings different dimensions to the playing XI, MI must decide who between the two overseas options should start with Rohit at the top.
On that note, let us look at a few factors to figure out who between Jacks and Rickelton should open for MI with Rohit to start IPL 2025.
#1 IPL pedigree and overall numbers
Will Jacks has a slight edge over Ryan Rickelton in terms of IPL experience, having played for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) last season. The English dasher enjoyed an impressive run in the second half of IPL 2024, scoring 230 runs at an average of almost 33 and a strike rate of 175.57 in eight outings.
Despite batting at No.3 in all eight games, Jacks' exposure in the IPL gives him an edge over Rickelton, who will be playing his maiden IPL season next year.
Coming to overall numbers, the duo have failed to impress yet in T20Is with the South African gloveman averaging under 22 and the Englishman an even worse 18.23 in 12 and 23 games, respectively.
The duo also boast identical averages of 28.81 and 28.51 in overall T20s, yet, Jacks' strike rate of 157.62 is considerably higher than Rickelton's 137.79.
Rickelton, however, edges Jacks in T20 numbers as an opener with an average of almost 38, compared to Jacks' 30.5. Yet, the latter again upstages the former in strike rates - 160.9 to 143.8.
Advantage: Will Jacks
#2 Who offers MI better team balance?
The selection of Jacks or Rickelton as the second opener must be looked at from an overall playing XI perspective and not solely in isolation. With Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya sure to bat at No. 3, 4, and 5, the choice between Jacks and Rickelton could also decide their No.6 and 7.
Should Rickelton open the batting, it takes care of the wicketkeeping role and thus MI can play their best option at No.6 and 7 without worrying about fielding a gloveman at one of the two positions.
However, should Jacks partner Rohit at the top, MI will be forced to play Robin Minz in the lower middle order of the XI. While Minz is an undeniable talent, he has yet to play a single IPL game.
However, the other side of the equation is Jacks' presence over Rickelton provides MI with a more than useful off-spin option that can bowl even in the powerplay. With the squad boasting no other off-spinner except the part-time option of Naman Dhir, the management could view Jacks' bowling as a potent weapon.
Advantage: Dead Heat
#3 The ideal partner for Rohit Sharma the batter?
As much as team balance should take precedence over the rest, Rohit Sharma - the batter producing at a high level is paramount for MI. Who between Jacks and Rickelton enhances that could be factored in for deciding the second opener.
The South African undoubtedly helps maintain the overstated yet valuable right-left combination, potentially preventing a left-arm spinner from possibly bowling in the powerplay. This could immensely help Rohit, given his recent struggles against left-arm spinners.
Yet, the other side of the coin could be Jacks' ability to go off early at a higher strike rate than Rickelton. While Rohit himself has batted in an up-tempo style from ball one, both openers going on an all-out attack like Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head for the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) could bury the opposition early in the game.
Jacks' higher scoring rate could also occasionally help Rohit bide his time before exploding on a few occasions.
Advantage: Dead Heat
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is safe to say that both Will Jacks and Ryan Rickelton offer plenty at the top of the order and should serve Rohit and MI well in IPL 2025. However, the faster scoring rate, part-time off-spinners, and IPL experience could give Jacks a slight edge over Rickelton's left-handedness and wicket-keeping prowess.
Final Verdict: MI should opt for Will Jacks to open with Rohit Sharma at the start of IPL 2025.