Ryan Rickelton, the Mumbai Indians opening batter, has spoken about how grateful he is to learn from a coaching team made up of former players from different cricketing nations and eras. MI’s season has effectively slipped away, with the franchise sitting on two wins and seven defeats, yet the opener says the squad will still approach Monday’s encounter against Lucknow Super Giants at Wankhede Stadium with pride and a desire to finish with respect.
Rickelton’s gratitude for MI’s cross-era coaching group
Rickelton highlighted the value of working with mentors who have experienced the sport across multiple levels and time periods. He noted that the collective background of the staff brings variety in thinking, training methods and match understanding, while also ensuring the team continues to pick up new lessons day after day.
MI’s coaching set-up includes head coach Mahela Jayawardene, batting coach Kieron Pollard, fast bowling coach Lasith Malinga and spin bowling coach Paras Mhambrey. Rickelton said the mixture of generations has been a major advantage, adding that Mahela’s playing days came before his own, while Pollard is both actively involved and coaching in the present. He also stressed that the group is “special” and works with its own distinct approaches, helping players keep learning.
Rickelton summed up the impact of that experience by saying it is “a lot of knowledge to tap into,” describing how each coach and support staff member brings a different flavour toward understanding the game. He also underlined that, in cricket, there is always something new to learn almost every day, and being guided by legends from other countries only strengthens that process.
Rickelton’s MI numbers and his season-defining milestone
With MI’s campaign largely out of contention, Rickelton has been the standout run-scorer for the team. He has amassed 297 runs across seven innings, maintaining an average of 49.50 and a strike rate of 177.84. His return includes one century and one fifty, underlining his ability to both build and accelerate when required.
One of the highlights of his season came when he struck an unbeaten 123* against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). That knock also brought him the fastest century and the highest score in franchise history. Rickelton described the moment as surreal, explaining that he only learned about the franchise record after the match had concluded.
Reflecting on what it means to add his name to MI’s honours, Rickelton said it feels especially meaningful because the dressing room has welcomed players of high calibre whose achievements are remembered on the honours board. He admitted that, despite looking at the standards set by past greats, he never expected such a milestone for himself—but said the end result leaves him feeling good.
What’s next for MI
Even with the season effectively done and dusted, MI are set to take on Lucknow Super Giants at Wankhede Stadium on Monday. For Rickelton and the squad, the focus will be on playing with pride and making sure the remaining games carry the right tone heading into the next phase of the tournament.
