Mumbai Indians Eye Sri Lanka's ODI Captain As A Replacement Player For IPL 2025: Report
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Asalanka has played 137 T20 matches so far, in which, with the help of 14 half-centuries, he has scored 2767 runs and picked up 27 wickets.
Sri Lanka's white-captain Charith Asalanka is one of the players Mumbai Indians are eyeing as a replacement player for the last phase of IPL 2025. As things stand, three players – Will Jacks, Corbin Bosch and Ryan Rickelton – won't feature for MI should they advance to the playoffs starting May 29 due to international commitments. While Jacks has been named in England's ODI squad for a three-match series at home against the West Indies, Bosch and Rickelton are set to return to South Africa as part of the team's preparation for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final.
According to Newswire, 'Sri Lanka's white-ball captain Charith Asalanka has reportedly been approached by Mumbai Indians to join the squad for the remainder of the IPL 2025 season. While discussions are believed to be ongoing, there has been no official confirmation from either Asalanka or the Mumbai Indians so far."
Asalanka, who has played a total of 137 T20 matches so far, has never featured in the IPL before.
Bosch, Rickelton and Jacks are integral members of MI's playing XI in IPL 2025. While Rickelton has featured in all the 12 matches played so far by the franchise, Jacks has made 11 appearances for the Mumbai Indians, and Bosch has played the last three matches against LSG, Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans.
While Asalanka could be a like-for-like replacement of Jacks, MI will have to look for an able replacement of Rickelton, who has proved his worth in this year's IPL not just as an opening batter but also as a wicketkeeper.
With 14 points after 12 matches played so far, the Mumbai Indians are fourth in the points table. The Hardik Pandya-led team is alive in the playoffs race, and the five-time champions will qualify for the next round if they manage to win their remaining two league matches. Mumbai Indians will face Delhi Capitals in their 13th league match on Wednesday (May 21) at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, whereas the team's last league match is scheduled against Punjab Kings at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on May 26.
First Published:
May 15, 2025, 19:46 IST
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