IPL 2026: Will Jacks returns to MI camp ahead of CSK clash

England all-rounder Will Jacks has finally rejoined the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp for the ongoing 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). According to Cricbuzz, the 27-year-old was seen training with the rest of the squad ahead of their highly anticipated clash with rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Thursday, April 23.

Jacks has missed the opening six matches of the 2026 season following a time off. In those six matches, MI have won just two and lost four games to sit seventh in the standings. 

Jacks’ return would be a massive boost for the five-time champions as they look to find their feet and push for a playoff berth in the second half of the season. Not only is the Englishman a versatile batter, capable of batting anywhere in the top seven, but he is also a handy spin-bowling option for MI to use in the middle overs. He joins an exciting overseas spin contingent comprising Mitchell Santner and Allah Ghazanfar.

Jacks’ recent form with the England national team should be a reason for the MI management to be optimistic for the remainder of the season. The right-hander scored 226 runs at a strike-rate of above 175 and took nine wickets at the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup held in India and Sri Lanka, where England reached the semi-finals. 

It is worth mentioning that this will be Jacks’ second season for MI. He played 13 times for Hardik Pandya’s side last season and went on to score 233 runs and take six wickets along the way. 

Following a run of four consecutive defeats, MI secured an emphatic win against the Gujarat Titans to bounce back into winning form. They defeated the 2022 champions by 99 runs after bundling out the opposition for just 100. Tilak Varma also returned to form, scoring an unbeaten 101 off just 45 balls.

CSK, on the other hand, are eighth in the standings and have the same number of points as MI but have a poorer net run-rate.