Key Points

Mumbai Indians have strategically signed Jonny Bairstow, Richard Gleeson, and Charith Asalanka as replacements for players departing for national duties. These replacements come ahead of the critical playoff stages, potentially providing fresh tactical options for the team. Bairstow, with 50 IPL appearances, brings significant experience to the squad. The moves demonstrate MI's proactive approach to maintaining competitive strength during the tournament's crucial phase.

Key Points: MI Signs Bairstow, Gleeson for Playoffs IPL 2025 Boost

  • Bairstow returns to IPL after unsold status in mega auction
  • Gleeson joins as replacement player at reserve price
  • MI strategically filling squad gaps for knockout stages
2 min read

IPL 2025: MI sign Bairstow, Gleeson & Asalanka as replacements for Jacks, Rickleton and Bosch

Mumbai Indians reinforce squad with Jonny Bairstow, Richard Gleeson, and Charith Asalanka ahead of crucial IPL playoff stage

"The replacement players will be available from the playoffs stage - IPL Official Statement"

Mumbai, May 20

Mumbai Indians (MI) have picked Jonny Bairstow, Richard Gleeson and Charith Asalanka as replacements for Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch, who are all set to leave for national duties after MI's last league game on May 26.

The replacement players will be available from the playoffs stage onwards, subject to the Mumbai Indians' qualification for the knockouts, the statement from the IPL read.

Jacks, who returned to India last week ahead of MI's last two group-stage games, will not be available for the final stages of the season due to international duty, as he has been named in England's limited-overs set-up for the West Indies series, clashing with the rearranged knockout stage.

The English allrounder, who featured in 11 of their first 12 matches, contributed 195 runs across nine innings while also chipping in with five wickets through his off-spin. He will be replaced by his England teammate wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow, who will join MI for Rs 5.25 crore.

Bairstow went unsold at November's mega-auction, and has not played for England in any format since June 2024. He is coming to India after captaining Yorkshire against Surrey at The Oval in the County Championship. He has made 50 IPL appearances across five seasons, previously representing Sunrisers Hyderabad (2019-21) and Punjab Kings (2022 and 2024).

With Rickelton is also set to exit before the playoffs for ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, Bairstow can also offer MI a wicketkeeping option. Rickelton is MI's second-highest run-scorer this season behind Rohit Sharma, with 336 runs at 30.54 and a strike rate of 153.42 in his 12 innings

English pacer Gleeson, who made his IPL debut last year when he played two matches for Chennai Super Kings as a replacement player, will replace Rickelton at a reserve price of Rs 1 crore.

Meanwhile, Charith Asalanka will come in at a reserve price of Rs 75 lakh for Corbin Bosch, who's also named in South Africa's squad for WTC final at Lord's.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Bairstow is a great pick for MI! He's experienced in Indian conditions and can be explosive at the top. Hope he finds his form quickly if we qualify for playoffs. 🤞 But losing Jacks' all-round skills might hurt - his off-spin was useful on our pitches.
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Priya M.
MI's scouting team is always on point! Asalanka is an underrated player - saw him perform well in Lanka Premier League. But honestly, our Indian players need to step up more. Can't always depend on foreign recruits to bail us out.
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Arjun S.
Why spend 5.25cr on Bairstow when he hasn't played international cricket for a year? Could have given chance to some young Indian keeper like Jurel or Prabhsimran. IPL should be about developing our own talent too, not just foreign stars.
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Sneha R.
Losing Rickelton is a big blow - he was so consistent this season! 😢 But Gleeson is an interesting choice. Saw him bowl well in county cricket. Hope he can handle the pressure if we reach playoffs. MI needs to win at least 1 trophy in 5 years!
V
Vikram J.
These last-minute changes show how IPL scheduling clashes with international cricket. BCCI should coordinate better with other boards. But knowing MI, they'll make these changes work - they always have great team management!
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Neha P.
Excited to see Bairstow in blue and gold! Remember his century for SRH at Eden Gardens. But MI's real problem is bowling - hope Gleeson can strengthen that. Our Indian pacers need to support Bumrah better in death overs.

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