“This coaching group is special and has a lot of knowledge to tap into”: Ryan Rickelton
Paltan, this is the time our team needs your support the most. Let us all rally behind our boys in Blue and Gold and gear up for the penultimate home clash at Wankhede versus Lucknow Super Giants on 4th May 2026. Our fortress is ready and we are sure all the fans will by buzzing with their own chants and energy. Ahead of the showdown, opening batter and wicketkeeper, Ryan Rickelton, featured on MI Charcha and spoke about the responsibility of anchoring the innings, switching gears early to finally training with legends who are part of the MI support staff.
Firstly, sharing his thoughts on getting the highest individual score in MI colours and how it feels to be at the top of the list, Ryan said, “It feels surreal honestly and I came to know about this feat only after the game. It feels pretty special when you look at the calibre of players that have walked through this same dressing room and have their names on the honours board. Sitting at the top of all this, I never thought it would happen but at the end of it all, it feels good.”
Next, speaking about the left-right combination that MI believes in upfront, the opening batter added, “It all goes down to tactics, the opposition try to use more off spin against us. Sometimes you get a slightly shorter or longer boundary so you start to play around with bowler’s lines and you can say that if it falls in this area, I am backing myself to hit a particular shot. You can manage the game a little easier with this combination. Yes sometimes, there are more righties than lefties and the other way around and it is not as important as how people look at it.”
Training under strength and conditioning coach Paul Chapman has always benefited Ryan’s game. He opined, “Chapman is the best that I have worked with, just the way in which he conducts himself. The way he manages players before games, on game day and post matches. Both of us spend a lot of time together. I consider myself very fortunate to work with him for three months of the year. He has been helping a lot of players especially in the rehab space so they can be on the field as soon as possible even after an injury.”
Lastly, reflecting on working with the Mumbai Indians coaches and support staff, he added, “The experience each one has and the cricket they have played at all levels is exceedingly great. We have different generations of coaches and support staff that bring their own flavour towards seeing the game. Mahela played before my time; Polly is playing and coaching. This group is special and has their own methods. It is a game in which one always learns something new about every single day and then getting help from these legends from various countries is a lot of knowledge to tap into."
