Mumbai Indians Batting Coach Confident Will Jacks Will Join Squad Ahead of IPL 2026 Clash Mumbai Indians (MI) batting coach Kieron Pollard has confirmed that England all-rounder Will Jacks is expected to rejoin the team shortly ahead of their upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Speaking during a pre-match press conference, Pollard emphasized that the team is prepared for Jacks’ potential return, highlighting the squad’s depth despite his absence. Pollard clarified that he was not aware of any specific fitness concerns affecting Jacks, though he acknowledged the player’s absence. “We’re expecting Will Jacks very soon,” he said. “As you alluded to, fitness issues—to my knowledge, I don’t know anything about that. We are a team made up of over 20 members. And at this point, he’s not here. But we’ll be here soon.” Pollard’s comments underscored the team’s readiness to adapt to any circumstances while maintaining competitive edge. The former West Indies all-rounder also expressed confidence in Jacks’ ability to make an immediate impact upon his return, praising his all-round skills with both bat and ball. “And hopefully when he’s here as well, his economy will be low, he will get wickets, and he will score runs just for you,” Pollard added, emphasizing Jacks’ value as a versatile player capable of contributing in multiple facets of the game. Pollard’s remarks extended to other key players, including Jasprit Bumrah, who faced scrutiny after a forgetful spell against Rajasthan Royals. The coach defended Bumrah’s performance, noting the evolving nature of T20 cricket where economy rates often take precedence over wicket-taking.#jasprit_bumrah #will_jacks #royal_challengers_bengaluru #mumbai_indians #kieron_pollard
Hardik Pandya's IPL 2026 wishlist: A sixth title, and the extension of legacy Hardik Pandya expressed his ambition to win the Indian Premier League for a sixth time with Mumbai Indians, while emphasizing his desire to leave a legacy rooted in passion and hard work. The Mumbai Indians captain, who has already secured five IPL titles with the franchise, shared his thoughts during an interaction with fans at the MI fan zone, known as MIX. "The ultimate dream is to win the IPL for the sixth time," Pandya said. "At the same time, it's about building a legacy. Mumbai Indians already have an incredible legacy, but I still remember when I was a new kid—the passion, the hard work, and how the team backed me and helped me grow." Pandya, 32, highlighted his commitment to maintaining the culture of dedication and teamwork that has defined Mumbai Indians. "Going forward, I want that culture to continue—where players step up, work hard, and play the best kind of cricket. I want us to represent the best cricket Mumbai Indians have ever played, and the best cricket I've ever played. That's the legacy I want to leave—for myself and for the franchise." Mumbai Indians have won five IPL titles—2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020—while Pandya has five titles to his name, including four with MI and one with Gujarat Titans in 2022. His journey with the franchise began during the 2014-15 Ranji Trophy season, when he was spotted by MI scouts during a match in Baroda. "I was just a batter who had spent my entire youth—17, 18, 19 years—doing one thing: working hard," Pandya recalled. "If someone asked me to run 12 rounds, I'd run 15. Then, out of the blue, someone noticed me. A year later, I was playing the Ranji Trophy. During one of those games, Mumbai Indians scouts were in the stadium—not even to watch me. But that's the beauty of it.#wankhede_stadium #hardik_pandya #mix #mumbai_indians #kieron_pollard
