MI’s New Trio: Bairstow, Gleeson & Asalanka In!
As the IPL 2025 playoff race tightens, Mumbai Indians have pulled off a sensational triple signing! The franchise has roped in Jonny Bairstow, Richard Gleeson, and Charith Asalanka as replacements for Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton, and Corbin Bosch, who are off for national duties.
These fresh reinforcements will only be available if MI qualifies for the playoffs — and what a boost they’ll be!
Why the Changes?
- Will Jacks will leave for England’s white-ball series vs. West Indies (starts May 29).
- Rickelton and Bosch are heading home early for South Africa’s WTC Final vs Australia starting May 30.
- MI’s last league game marks the farewell for all three outgoing players.
Meet the Replacements
Jonny Bairstow (Rs. 5.25 Cr)
- Role: Wicketkeeper-Batter
- T20 Career Runs: 5000+
- A proven dynamite at the top, Bairstow adds firepower and big-match experience. His explosive batting and versatility across formats could be a game-changer for MI during crunch time.
Richard Gleeson (Rs. 1 Cr)
- Role: Fast Bowler
- T20 Wickets: 100+
- Gleeson brings pace and power. Known for his sharp bouncers and late-innings death bowling, he’s a handy option to replace Bosch’s impact with the ball.
Charith Asalanka (Rs. 75 Lakhs)
- Role: Middle-order Batter
- T20 Runs: 2700+ in 100+ games
- Sri Lanka’s white-ball captain, Asalanka is a cool-headed finisher. His left-handed elegance and ability to rotate strike will complement MI’s power hitters beautifully.
What’s Next for Mumbai Indians?
With just one league game remaining, MI need to clinch a win and hope for a favorable net run rate to confirm playoff qualification. The inclusion of these three players will only take effect if MI seals that final-four spot.
Keep an eye on the MI bowling unit – Gleeson could be a vital cog, especially on slower pitches.
MI’s Possible Playoff XI (with new additions)
- Rohit Sharma
- Jonny Bairstow (wk)
- Tilak Varma
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Charith Asalanka
- Hardik Pandya (c)
- Naman Dhir
- Trent Boult
- Richard Gleeson
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Deepak Chahar
Analyst’s Take
This late-stage overhaul might just be MI’s trump card. Bairstow’s brute power, Gleeson’s pace, and Asalanka’s calm finishing ability provide the perfect balance heading into high-pressure playoff battles.But first—can MI get the job done in the league stage? All eyes on their final clash!
