"Still itching for a big score": MI opener Ryan Rickelton after playing a 31-run knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 18 (ANI): After registering a win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Mumbai Indians (MI) wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton said that he is still looking for a big innings from himself in the ongoing competition.
Will Jacks' two crucial wickets and a quickfire 36 helped MI secure a four-wicket win over SRH at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rickelton spoke on his knock (31 runs off 23 balls) in the clash, where he said, "Wouldn't say 30 is too many runs, but nice to contribute. Still itching for a big score. Wasn't the easiest wicket tonight, but we adjusted well with the ball and obviously happy to get over the line."
Further, the 28-year-old player opened up on coming from South Africa and adapting to the Indian pitch conditions.
"I have the foundations and bit of knowledge being around such a great group of guys. It's just about trying to work those little things in my game. There's some things tonight that I discovered which I need to try and chat to the necessary players. Still a work in progress. If I can keep growing my game, it's only going to bode well in the future. Definitely helped we were batting second. That's the nature of T20 cricket," the left-hand batter added.
In the end, the opener expressed his feelings after being part of the Mumbai Indians side in the ongoing 18th edition of the cash-rich league.
"It's difficult to judge and assess what is a good score and commit to it. We have the experience of Booms, Hardik, Sky, and Boulty as well. The smarts were there today with the ball in hand, even though I reckon we could've kept them to a lower score. It's a bit loud. Always a bit of a cacophony for me with the noise but I'm finding my feet. Really enjoying it. What a great team to play for, what a great place," the southpaw concluded.
Coming to the match, MI won the toss and opted to field first. After that, Abhishek Sharma (40 in 28 balls, with seven fours) and Head (28 in 29 balls, with three fours) put on a 59-run partnership. However, the team could not maintain a fiery run-rate living up to the standard of their fiery brand of cricket, despite some effort from Heinrich Klaasen (37 in 28 balls, with three fours and two sixes).
SRH posted 162/5 in their 20 overs, with Will Jacks (2/14) and Jasprit Bumrah (1/21) being the top bowlers for the Hardik Pandya-led side.
During the run-chase, MI top order contributed enough to help their cause, with Rohit Sharma (26 in 16 balls, with three sixes) and Ryan Rickelton (31 in 23 balls, with five fours) producing quickfire knocks that took MI to 69/2 by the time they were dismissed. A 52-run stand between Will Jacks (36 in 26 balls, with three fours and two sixes) and Suryakumar Yadav (26 in 15 balls, with two fours and two sixes) took MI to the brink of an easy win, however, SRH bowlers decided to put up a fight. Tilak Varma (21* in 17 balls, with a four) and Mitchell Santner (0*) took MI to a four-wicket win with 11 balls left.
Skipper Pat Cummins (3/26) and Eshan Malinga (2/36) put up fighting spells for SRH, but it was not enough.
MI rose to the seventh spot with three wins and four losses, giving them six points. SRH are at ninth spot with two wins and five losses, giving them just four points. (ANI)