Ryan Rickelton targets early season impact in IPL 2026 after impressive T20 World Cup

South Africa and Mumbai Indians wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton is looking forward to playing his second season of the IPL, which he believes is a different challenge.

Signed by the Mumbai Indians in 2025, he scored 388 runs at 150.97, with his contributions at the top of the order playing a part in Mumbai Indians reaching the playoffs in that season. His 2026 saw a brilliant SA20 season followed by the T20 World Cup, where he scored 228 runs at a strike rate of just over 170.

“I’m obviously looking forward to the IPL. I felt like I’ve been hitting the ball quite nicely this year, so looking forward to obviously trying to roll that on. It’s going to be a different challenge,” he said, as reported by Independent Online (IOL).

“The IPL’s long, so finding that balance throughout the whole tournament can be quite hard, but I’ll definitely take some confidence in what I’ve achieved this year and looking forward to obviously trying to expand on it.”

Speaking on his first season, Rickelton spoke of the experiences he gained from the first season, based on playing in Indian conditions. He believes the experience was fruitful, helping him grow as a player. Rickelton also added that he is looking to make an instant impact for the Mumbai Indians.

“There are lessons learnt. There’s plenty I suppose, more based on Indian conditions and how the IPL works. Again, it ranges from team to team, venue to venue, but just trying to grow I suppose. I felt like I’ve grown a lot since the last experience to keep just trying to get better and improve and try to become a more formidable force within the T20 space in the world. But, like I said, I will be trying to have an instant and early impact for the side and try and just make sure I can do my job as best as I can,” he added.

Mumbai Indians take on the Kolkata Knight Riders in their opening match of the 2026 season, on March 29 at the Wankhede Stadium.