Legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble has made a bold statement on Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton ahead of the IPL 2026 clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Raipur on Sunday, May 10.
Mumbai Indians are already out of the race for the IPL 2026 playoffs after losing seven out of their 10 matches so far. But 9th-ranked MI will aim to spoil Royal Challengers Bangalore’s chances at their adopted home, the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium.
Anil Kumble makes big statement on Rohit Sharma ahead of MI vs RCB IPL 2026 clash
Ahead of this evening’s clash in Raipur, Anil Kumble believes Rohit’s return has given MI a huge boost at the right time of the season. The experienced opening batsman recently made a comeback against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) after missing five matches due to a hamstring injury.
Also read: Matthew Hayden insults Vaibhav Suryavanshi during IPL 2026
But the experienced opener played a brilliant inning of 84 runs off 44 balls to lead MI to a six-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
As the Hitman reminded everyone why he still remains one of the most dangerous batsmen in the IPL, Kumble was extremely impressed as it is never easy for any player to sit out for so long and then suddenly come back and dominate in a high-pressure game.
As GeoStar expert Anil Kumble said on Star Sports, “Rohit Sharma’s return has been a big boost for MI. In the last game against Lucknow, he came back after a gap of five matches and immediately scored 80-plus runs. It seemed as if he was never away from the eleven. It is not easy for any batsman to sit out for five matches and then play such an impressive innings, especially while chasing 225-plus.”
MI’s revenge mission against RCB depends on Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton: Kumble
The former Punjab Kings head coach also said that the performance of Rohit and Ryan will decide MI’s fate against RCB. Notably, Rohit has scored 221 runs in five matches at an impressive average of over 55 and a strike rate of over 174, which includes two half-centuries.
Rickelton, on the other hand, has been one of the biggest match-winners for MI this season, scoring 380 runs in eight innings at an average above 54 and an aggressive strike rate close to 191. The South African batsman has already scored one century and two half-centuries in IPL 2026.
Talking about their partnership for MI, Rohit and Rickelton have added 376 runs in just five innings this season at an impressive average of 94 and a scoring rate above 12 runs per over.
Also Read: “He’s coming in my place”: Sanju Samson reveals how Ishan Kishan became his nightmare
“Mumbai’s chances against RCB will largely depend on how their opening pair of Rohit and Ryan Rickelton perform. Both are in explosive form. If they continue to bat in the same manner, Mumbai will have a great chance to take revenge against Bengaluru,” Kumble said.
Anil Kumble backs Jasprit Bumrah to make a comeback in the big clash between MI vs RCB
The great spinner also shared his views on Jasprit Bumrah’s struggles this season. Kumble feels that after playing cricket continuously for a long time, Bumrah might be suffering from mental fatigue and that is why he is struggling in the current IPL 2026.
Nevertheless, cricket pundits believe that the RCB vs MI encounter could be the perfect platform for Bumrah to make a comeback. Notably, the fast bowler has taken only three wickets in 10 matches so far.
Kumble said, “Jasprit Bumrah will also be eager to perform well. Probably due to mental fatigue, he has not had the best season. But now only a few matches are left, so Bumrah will not get a better platform than this ‘Revenge Week’ match to regain his rhythm.
