Mumbai: Ryan Rickelton may have played one of the most explosive knocks of IPL 2026, but it still wasn’t enough to escape the dressing-room “heat” — especially from teammate Quinton de Kock.
The Mumbai Indians opener smashed a blistering 83 off just 32 balls against Lucknow Super Giants while chasing a daunting 229-run target. His innings laid a strong foundation for the chase, but Rickelton fell short of what could have been a memorable century.
Friendly fire in the MI dressing room
Despite the impressive knock, Rickelton revealed that de Kock — his compatriot and direct competitor for a spot in the playing XI — didn’t hold back.
“He was the first person to absolutely abuse me tonight, saying I threw away a hundred,” Rickelton said with a smile.
The comment, though blunt, reflected the strong camaraderie between the two South African stars. With only one overseas opener slot available, both Rickelton and de Kock have been locked in a healthy competition throughout the season.
Pressure of competition
Rickelton admitted that having a player of de Kock’s calibre waiting on the bench adds mental pressure.
“It’s tricky when you have someone like Quinny sitting out and the whole world is screaming to pick him. You can put yourself under a bit too much pressure.”
However, he also highlighted the positive side of that competition, calling it a motivating factor rather than a burden.
Mentor behind the scenes
Interestingly, despite being rivals for the same spot, de Kock has been actively helping Rickelton improve his game.
Rickelton revealed that the senior wicketkeeper-batter has been closely observing his batting and offering technical inputs throughout the tournament.
“He’s helped me a lot this tournament. He’s watched my batting and is tweaking things along the way.”
This behind-the-scenes mentorship has clearly paid dividends, with Rickelton producing impactful performances when given the opportunity.
Opportunity seized
Rickelton got his chance in the XI after de Kock suffered a hand injury earlier in the season. Since then, the youngster has made the most of his opportunities, showcasing his aggressive stroke play at the top.
His 83-run blitz against LSG is among the standout innings of the season, even if it ended short of a three-figure milestone.
More than just rivalry
The Rickelton–de Kock dynamic underlines an important aspect of franchise cricket — intense competition doesn’t always mean hostility. In fact, it often fosters growth.
While fans debate who should start, inside the MI camp, the two players continue to push each other to improve.
And if Rickelton’s words are anything to go by, missing a century might hurt — but having a teammate like de Kock ensures there’s never a dull moment in the dressing room.