Ryan Rickelton Backs Dual Role With Quinton de Kock in Mumbai Indians XI

Proteas and Mumbai Indians wicket-keeper batter, Ryan Rickleton, believes that there is room for him and Quinton de Kock to play in the same XI in the upcoming Indian Premier League. 

Playing with De Kock

For most of his career, Rickelton has had to take the back seat in terms of Proteas selection, as Quinton de Kock, another wicket-keeper opening batter, had already established himself as the first pick and a generational talent. 

When De Kock retired after the semi-final of the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in India, it provided an opportunity for Rickelton to get a full run in the national side and stake a claim. 

Rickelton grabbed the opportunity with both hands, establishing himself as the key wicket-keeper and opening batter. However, when De Kock reversed his retirement last year, it posed a unique challenge and competition for Rickelton. 

De Kock walked straight back into the team and impressed, forcing Rickelton to sit out of the playing XI, until early this year when he bossed the number three role in the Proteas batting order, forcing the Proteas coach Shukri Conrad to play both of them.

With De Kock having been signed by the Mumbai Indians for the upcoming Indian Premier League season, Rickelton believes that they also can play in the same XI for the Mumbai-based outfit.

"It's nice to have Quinny back, he's obviously a world beater. He's following me everywhere and putting pressure on me, which isn't fun sometimes," Rickelton told SportsBoom.co.za.

"But competition is always healthy. And again, I still believe that we can always play on the same team."

IPL Experience

This year, Rickelton has made adjustments to his game to fit the number three position in the batting order. 

As a result, the left-handed batter made the number three position his own in the Proteas side, and hopes he can do the same in the Mumbai Indians team.

"So, if I have to bat at number three, at least I had a great experience in the IPL. I've wrapped my head around it a lot. I've got experienced number three and four batters within the side. The local Indian guys here, Sky and Tilak, they've done it for many years in their career, so I can always lean on them," said Rickelton. 

"But I think I would want to be closer to the top batting in India. So, if that's the opportunity that comes to me this year, at least, like I say, I've had a recent experience in the World Cup. I thought I did a relatively good job." 

"And if I can expand on that performance, then I'd be very happy with that. So, it's a long tournament in the IPL. We'll take what comes. We'll walk through it slowly." 

"And whatever's meant to be, whether that's batting at the top, batting at three, you never know what can happen. So, I'm looking forward to getting underway and hopefully getting onto the field."