The Mumbai Indians (MI) have been making tactical adjustments to strengthen their team ahead of the IPL 2025 playoffs, having made replacement announcements for Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton, and Corbin Bosch. This revelation, posted by the Indian Premier League on May 20, 2025, is timely as the five-time league winners' playoff qualification remains in doubt. As MI continue their pursuit of yet another title, such replacements may be determinative in their campaign.

Will Jacks, a key all-rounder for MI, has been a standout performer this season, scoring 195 runs and taking five wickets in 11 matches. However, he, along with Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch, will miss the playoffs due to their commitments to the South African squad for the World Test Championship final, as mandated by Cricket South Africa. The players are required to return home by May 27, potentially affecting MI’s campaign. To fill these gaps, MI has reportedly brought in England stars Jonny Bairstow and Richard Gleeson, with Bairstow replacing Jacks and Gleeson stepping in for Rickelton, while a third replacement for Bosch has not been specified.

MI’s current standing, as noted in recent reports, shows them with 14 points from 12 matches, placing them fourth on the points table—a position that makes their playoff qualification likely but not guaranteed. Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings have already secured their spots, leaving MI and Delhi Capitals to battle for the final playoff berth. The management of the team will expect these new recruits to bring the spark that will propel them to the winning line.

Bairstow and Gleeson: A Perfect Match?

Jonny Bairstow is a historically strong IPL player, amassing 1589 runs in 50 matches, and has been known to be a destructive batsman and keeper, with a total of 298 runs last year with Punjab Kings. Richard Gleeson is a 37-year-old English as well-paced with a good past for delivering strikes, though he may only be available for MI in non-scheduled competition games like the IPL due to T20 Blast with Warwickshire.

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Both replacements could be a genius move if MI qualifies for the playoffs, but success will depend heavily on Bairstow's form and Gleeson settling quickly. As the IPL 2025 season approach, all eyes will be on MI to return to their former championship glory with their revamped squad.