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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 Bengaluru (RCB) on Sunday, May 10, in Raipur.
Mumbai Indians are already out of the IPL 2026 playoffs race after losing seven of their 10 games so far. But the 9th-rank MI will aim to ruin the chances of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their adopted home at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium.
Anil Kumble makes massive statement on Rohit Sharma before MI vs RCB IPL 2026 clash
Before this evening clash in Raipur, Anil Kumble believes that Rohit’s comeback has given MI a massive boost at the perfect time of the season. The experienced opener recently returned against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) after missing five matches because of a hamstring injury.
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But the seasoned opener made an instant impact with a stunning knock of 84 runs off 44 balls to take MI to a six-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
As Hitman reminded everyone why he remains one of the most dangerous batters in the IPL even now, Kumble was highly impressed because it is never easy for any player to sit out for such a long time and then suddenly come back and dominate in a high-pressure game.
Anil Kumble said on Star Sports as a JioStar expert, “MI has a major boost with the return of Rohit Sharma. In the last game against Lucknow, he came back after a gap of five matches and instantly played a knock of 80-plus runs. It looked like he had never been away from the XI. It is not easy for any batter to sit out for five games and then play such an impactful knock, 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 noted that Rohit’s and Ryan’s performance will decide the MI’s fate against RCB. Notably, Rohit has scored 221 runs in five matches at a stunning average above 55 and strike rate above 174, including two half-centuries.
On the other hand, Rickelton has been one of MI’s biggest match-winners this season with 380 runs in eight innings at an average above 54 and an attacking strike rate close to 191. The South African batter has already smashed one century and two fifties in IPL 2026.
Speaking about their partnership for MI, Rohit and Rickelton have added 376 runs together at a stunning average of 94 and a scoring rate above 12 runs per over in just five innings this season.
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Kumble added, “Against RCB, Mumbai’s chances will depend heavily on how their opening pair of Rohit and Ryan Rickelton perform. Both are in explosive form. If they continue batting the way they have, then Mumbai will have a great chance to seek revenge from Bengaluru.”
Anil Kumble backs Jasprit Bumrah to bounce back in big MI vs RCB clash
The legendary spinner also shared his thoughts on Jasprit Bumrah’s struggles this season. Kumble feels Bumrah may be dealing with mental tiredness after playing nonstop cricket for a long time and that’s why he is struggling in the ongoing IPL 2026.
Still, the cricket pundit believes that the RCB vs MI clash could be the perfect stage for Bumrah to stage his comeback. Notably, the fast bowler has taken only three wickets in 10 games so far.
Kumble signed off by saying, “Jasprit Bumrah will also be keen to do well. He hasn’t had the best season, likely due to mental fatigue. But with only a few games left, Bumrah won’t get a better stage than this ‘Revenge Week’ match to find his rhythm again.”
