Ryan Rickelton's unbeaten 123 in vain as Mumbai Indians fall short against Sunrisers Hyderabad

Key facts

• Ryan Rickelton scored an unbeaten 123 off 55 balls (10 fours, 8 sixes) for Mumbai Indians against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
• He is the fifth batter in IPL 2026 to finish on the losing side despite scoring a century.
• Rickelton reached his first 50 in 23 balls and his second in just 21 balls.
• Mumbai Indians posted 243-5 in 20 overs at Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.
• Rickelton had missed a century by 19 runs at the same ground against Kolkata Knight Riders a month earlier.
• Opening partner Will Jacks contributed 46 off 22 balls as MI reached 78-0 in the Powerplay.

A lone hand at Wankhede

Ryan Rickelton became the fifth batter in IPL 2026 to score a century in a losing cause, his unbeaten 123 off 55 balls failing to steer Mumbai Indians past Sunrisers Hyderabad at Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday. The South African wicketkeeper-batter's innings, laced with 10 fours and 8 sixes, lifted the hosts to a formidable 243-5, but the total proved insufficient as the Sunrisers chased it down. Rickelton's effort was the highest individual score by a Mumbai Indian this season, yet it ended in defeat.

A century built on explosive hitting

Rickelton took 23 balls to reach his first fifty, striking five fours and four sixes in that phase. He then accelerated dramatically, needing only 21 deliveries for his second half-century. The left-hander raced from 89 to 99 with a four and a six off Nitish Kumar Reddy before taking a single to bring up his hundred. His opening partner Will Jacks provided brisk support with 46 off 22 balls, helping MI post 78 without loss in the Powerplay.

A month after near-miss

Exactly a month earlier, on March 30, Rickelton had fallen 19 runs short of a century at the same ground against Kolkata Knight Riders. That innings had ended on 81, a personal disappointment that he was determined to rectify. This time, he made no mistake, converting his start into a three-figure score. The contrast between the two performances underscores his growing consistency at the Wankhede, where he now averages over 100 in his last two innings.

Bowling woes and a losing trend

Mumbai Indians' bowling attack, even with Jasprit Bumrah, was taken apart by Sunrisers Hyderabad's Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen, who orchestrated the chase. Bumrah, usually the team's savior, was not spared in what has been described as an 'IPL from hell for bowlers.' The defeat highlighted MI's inability to 'string a complete game together,' as batting coach Kieron Pollard noted. Rickelton's century became the fifth instance this season of a batter ending on the losing side despite a hundred, a statistic that reflects the high-scoring nature of IPL 2026.

Comparisons and context

Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar drew comparisons between Rickelton and Delhi Capitals' Priyansh Arya, both left-handed openers known for their aggressive strokeplay. Rickelton, who also keeps wickets, has been a consistent performer for MI, but his efforts have often been in losing causes. The team's reliance on individual brilliance rather than collective performance has been a recurring theme this season.

What lies ahead for Mumbai Indians

With the defeat, Mumbai Indians remain in the lower half of the IPL 2026 points table, needing to win most of their remaining matches to qualify for the playoffs. The team management will be concerned about the bowling unit's inability to defend totals, even those exceeding 240. Rickelton's form, however, is a bright spot; his ability to score quickly and anchor innings will be crucial in the upcoming games.

The bottom line

• Ryan Rickelton's 123 not out is the highest individual score by a Mumbai Indian in IPL 2026, but it came in a losing effort.
• He is the fifth batter this season to score a century in a losing cause, highlighting the tournament's high-scoring nature.
• Rickelton's innings included a rapid second fifty in just 21 balls, showcasing his ability to accelerate.
• He had missed a century by 19 runs at the same ground a month earlier, making this hundred a redemption of sorts.
• Mumbai Indians' bowling, even with Jasprit Bumrah, failed to defend 243-5, raising questions about their depth.
• The team's inconsistent performances have left them struggling in the points table, with playoffs now a distant goal.