IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians rope in Jonny Bairstow, Richard Gleeson and Charith Asalanka as playoffs race heats up

IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians announce replacements for Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch. (Photo: ICC)

For the remaining IPL 2025 games, the Mumbai Indians have signed star English batsman-wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow to replace all-rounder Will Jacks.

Additionally, the team signed Richard Gleeson and Charith Asalanka to replace Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch, who are departing for overseas assignments.

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In order to improve their squad depth and performance in the current season, fourth-place MI made this calculated move.

A key contributor to England's victory in the 2019 ODI World Cup, Jonny Bairstow has been a significant addition to MI. Bairstow brings a wealth of experience and skill to the team, having played 287 games for England during his lengthy international career.

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In addition, he participated in 50 IPL games from 2019 to 2024. Two tons are included in his total of 1,589 runs. The acquisition of Bairstow is set to strengthen MI's batting order.

MI has also signed Charith Asalanka, the captain of Sri Lanka in both ODI and T20I competitions. Asalanka, who has made 134 appearances for his country, gives the batting and bowling units more depth.

Richard Gleeson is another noteworthy addition to the team. The English cricketer, who has participated in six Twenty20 Internationals, is known for his extraordinary death-over abilities. He has 129 T20 wickets at a 23.76 average.

The two games left for the fourth-place Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025 rankings are against the Delhi Capitals and the Punjab Kings. The five-time champions will automatically advance to the playoffs if they win both as they will have 18 points.

But if MI only win one, the outcome of the other games will determine whether they qualify. They would be eliminated from the playoffs race if they lose both games.