Jonny Bairstow is in talks to join Mumbai Indians as a temporary replacement for Will Jacks, if the team makes it to the playoffs. Jacks has returned to India and is expected to play MI’s last two league matches, but he won’t be available for the playoffs due to England’s ODI series against West Indies, which clashes with the rescheduled knockout matches. According to Reports, Bairstow could step in for him, as long as he gets the required No-Objection Certificate (NOC).

Bairstow went unsold in last year’s auction and hasn’t played for England since June 2024. If everything goes as planned, he’ll fly to India after leading Yorkshire against Surrey in the County Championship this week. He would miss one Championship game and a couple of T20 Blast matches if he joins MI.

The experienced English batter has played 50 IPL games across five seasons, turning out for Sunrisers Hyderabad (2019-2021) and Punjab Kings (2022, 2024). He has a great record, with an average of 34.54 and a strike rate of 144.45. He also has two IPL hundreds, including a memorable one during a record chase at Eden Gardens last season against KKR.

🚨 JONNY BAIRSTOW IN IPL. 🚨

- Bairstow set to replace Will Jacks in Mumbai Indians' squad for IPL 2025. (Espncricinfo). pic.twitter.com/5ltgPgY4zX

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 15, 2025

Will Jacks has been an important player for MI this season, featuring in 11 of their first 12 games. He has scored 195 runs and taken five wickets with his off-spin. He was named Player of the Match in two key home wins against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants.

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Mumbai Indians are currently in fourth place on the points table, with two league games left against Delhi Capitals on May 21 and Punjab Kings on May 26. After a slow start to the season, they bounced back with six wins in a row, but lost narrowly to Gujarat Titans just before the tournament was paused due to tensions between India and Pakistan. MI could also lose Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch for the playoffs, as both have been picked in South Africa’s squad for the World Test Championship final next month.