MI has signed Jonny Bairstow to replace Will Jacks if they qualify for the playoffs. Richard Gleeson has also been signed by MI to replace for Ryan Rickelton. Both Rickelton & Jacks aren’t available for playoffs and MI hasn’t qualified for it so does any team. They are in fourth place on the points table with 14 points in 12 matches. They must win both of their remaining matches to secure a safe spot in the playoffs.
MI’s remaining matches :
vs DC on 21st May at Wankhede stadium, Mumbai
vs PBKS on 26th May at Sawai Mansingh stadium, Jaipur
Jonny Bairstow won’t be available for these two matches. He will join the team only if they qualify for the playoffs.
Who is Jonny Bairstow replacing?
Jonny Bairstow is set to replace his fellow Englishman Will Jacks in the playoffs. Will Jacks will be flying back for national duties as he is selected in the England’s squad for the ODI series against West Indies which starts from May 29.
Jonny Bairstow will be an apt replacement for Will Jacks at the top order. He can play both the roles of Anchor and hitter. He is one of the very few English batters who have better records against spin bowling.
MI have Bevon Jacobs to replace Cosbin Bosch in the eleven. They might also bring in Mitchell Santner in place of Will Jacks to have that extra spinner in the team. In that case, Bairstow might come in place of Ryan Rickelton.
Jonny Bairstow’s IPL records
Jonny Bairstow made his IPL debut in 2019, opening for SRH with David Warner. He announced his arrival in style by hitting a thunderous knock of 114 runs off 56 balls against RCB in his debut match. He gave many blazing starts along with Warner.
In 2022, he was signed by the Punjab Kings and played for them for three years. He performed decently for them as well. He scored a match-winning century ( 108* off 48 ) vs KKR in the historic 262 run chase last year.
Overall, he has played in 50 IPL matches and scored 1589 runs with 2 centuries and 9 half-centuries.
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