20 May, 2025 | 05:26 PM
Mumbai Indians (MI) have signed Jonny Bairstow, Richard Gleeson, and Charith Asalanka as temporary replacements for Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton, and Corbin Bosch ahead of the IPL 2025 playoffs. The replacements will come into effect after MI's final league-stage match, provided the team qualifies for the knockout rounds.
The new signings were confirmed by an IPL statement earlier today, with Bairstow joining MI at a price of INR 5.25 crore, fast bowler Gleeson at INR 1 crore, and Asalanka at INR 75 lakh. These players will only be available from the playoffs onwards.
Jacks will depart after MI’s final league match on May 26 to join England for their upcoming ODI series against West Indies. Rickelton and Bosch, meanwhile, will link up with South Africa’s squad as they prepare for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The trio will exit following MI’s fixture against Punjab Kings.
Their departures open the door for Bairstow, Gleeson, and Asalanka, all of whom bring international experience and depth to the MI setup.
Bairstow, who went unsold in the IPL 2024 mega auction, returns to the league after last featuring for Punjab Kings. Despite not playing for England since June 2024, Bairstow has been active in domestic cricket, captaining Yorkshire in the County Championship this season. However, he will now miss upcoming matches for the county to participate in the IPL.
“I'm incredibly grateful to Yorkshire for understanding,” Bairstow shared on Instagram. “This is a fantastic opportunity, and I’m excited to contribute to MI’s campaign. Can’t wait to get started and experience the energy of Mumbai.”
Yorkshire’s general manager Gavin Hamilton supported the decision: “While it's disappointing to lose Jonny temporarily, this opportunity at this stage of his career is huge.”
Bairstow boasts a strong IPL record with 50 appearances, two centuries, and a strike rate of 144.45. He has previously represented Sunrisers Hyderabad (2019–2021) and Punjab Kings (2022, 2024).
Gleeson, 37, returns to the IPL after debuting last season with Chennai Super Kings. The Warwickshire pacer is under a white-ball contract and will miss his county’s opening T20 Blast matches. Known for his sharp variations, Gleeson adds veteran experience to MI’s pace attack.
Asalanka, Sri Lanka’s white-ball captain, will make his IPL debut. The middle-order batter went unsold in the last auction but has earned a spot following consistent performances for Sri Lanka. He follows in the footsteps of fellow Sri Lankan Kusal Mendis, who also featured in this IPL season.
MI and Delhi Capitals (DC) are battling for the final playoff spot, with a crucial head-to-head clash scheduled for Wednesday. The playoff replacements will only come into play if MI secure qualification.
Rickelton has been a vital part of MI’s campaign, scoring 336 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 153.42. Jacks, too, has been consistent, contributing 195 runs and five wickets across 11 matches.
As the playoff race heats up, MI will hope the incoming trio can boost their push for a record-extending title run if they make it through to the final four.
Incoming Players
Jonny Bairstow – INR 5.25 crore
Richard Gleeson – INR 1 crore
Charith Asalanka – INR 75 lakh
Replaced Players (leaving after May 26):
Will Jacks (ENG)
Ryan Rickelton (SA)
Corbin Bosch (SA)
