Every IPL season has its own energy, and the buildup to IPL 2026 has been no different. Squads are finalized, training camps are in full swing, and the content coming out of franchise social media handles is keeping fans thoroughly entertained. But once in a while, something comes along that cuts through all the noise, and not a century in the nets, not a fiery spell of fast bowling, but just a simple, genuine moment that makes you smile.
Mumbai Indians gave fans exactly that this week, and the man at the centre of it was not who most people expected.
Ryan Rickelton’s marathi impresses Suryakumar Yadav
South African wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton was part of an MI pre-season photoshoot when he turned to Rohit Sharma and addressed him as “Mumbai cha Raja” means The King of Mumbai, in surprisingly fluent Marathi. Standing close by, Suryakumar Yadav heard it, broke into a grin, and immediately responded with a cheeky “correct” before turning to let Rohit know what had just been said. Rohit, who was in the middle of getting a makeover ahead of what looked like a headshot session, was in for a pleasant surprise.
The clip went up on MI’s official X handle and spread fast. For a player who only arrived in Indian franchise cricket last season, Rickelton has clearly done his homework and the Mumbai crowd, known for its passion and pride in the city’s identity, absolutely loved it.
Here’s the video:
The training intensifies as we lead up to the season opener 🙌 #MIDaily pic.twitter.com/NN7cfnRt1i
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 26, 2026
A player worth watching closely this season
What makes this more than just a feel-good moment is the kind of form Rickelton is carrying into IPL 2026. Retained by MI for just ₹1 crore, a number that already looks like a bargain the 29-year-old left-hander made an immediate impression on his IPL debut last season, scoring 388 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 150.97 with three fifties. He then stepped it up even further at the T20 World Cup 2026, where he struck 228 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 170.14, including a half-century.
Rohit Sharma, the man Rickelton so warmly praised, is heading into this season with his own motivation. He will become one of a select few players alongside MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Manish Pandey to have played in every single edition of the IPL, a remarkable landmark. Last season he scored 418 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of 149.28 with four fifties, and nothing suggests he is slowing down.
They open against Kolkata Knight Riders on March 29 at the Wankhede Stadium. And somewhere in that dressing room beforehand, there is every chance Rickelton will have another Marathi phrase ready to go.
