Ryan Rickelton etched his name into the Indian Premier League record books with a scintillating display of batting at the Wankhede Stadium, delivering a performance that Mumbai Indians fans will be talking about for years to come. On April 29, 2026, the South African wicketkeeper-batter smashed the fastest century ever by a Mumbai Indians player, reaching the three-figure mark in just 44 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Not only did Rickelton break an 18-year-old franchise record, but he also posted the highest individual score in Mumbai Indians history, remaining unbeaten on a staggering 123 off 55 balls.
Rickelton’s heroics came as a surprise twist in the MI lineup. Initially not slated to play, he was thrust into the opening slot after Quinton de Kock suffered an injury during the warm-up. Talk about seizing the moment! Rickelton, who had been dropped for the previous two matches due to a string of low scores, found redemption in spectacular fashion. The left-hander, already known for his aggressive style in T20 cricket, delivered on the big stage when his team needed it most.
The opening partnership set the tone for Mumbai’s innings. Rickelton and Englishman Will Jacks tore into the Sunrisers’ attack, amassing 78 runs in the powerplay and 93 runs off just 43 balls before Jacks fell for a blazing 46 from 22 deliveries. The duo’s onslaught left the Hyderabad bowlers searching for answers and gave Mumbai a platform to launch a massive total.
Rickelton’s knock was a masterclass in power hitting and controlled aggression. He reached his half-century in just 24 balls, peppering the boundaries with a mix of eight fours and seven sixes on his way to the hundred. But he wasn’t done yet. By the end of his innings, Rickelton had clubbed 10 fours and eight sixes, showcasing both finesse and brute force. His 123 not out is now the highest score ever recorded by a Mumbai Indians batter in the IPL, surpassing the legendary Sanath Jayasuriya’s unbeaten 114 from the inaugural 2008 season at the very same venue.
There was drama as Rickelton approached his milestone. In the 15th over, he smashed a four and a six off Nitish Kumar Reddy to move to 99. The next ball, a slow bouncer down the leg side, drew an appeal for a catch behind, but the umpire called it wide and Sunrisers’ skipper Pat Cummins chose not to review. Rickelton took a single off the following ball, raising his bat to the crowd—and to his family, who watched from the stands, visibly emotional as he celebrated this career-defining moment.
“It’s a night I’ll never forget,” Rickelton later reflected, as quoted by multiple outlets. “To do it in front of my family and to help the team post a big total is really special.”
The record Rickelton broke was no small feat. Sanath Jayasuriya’s 45-ball hundred in 2008 had stood as the gold standard for Mumbai Indians’ quickfire centuries. Earlier this season, Tilak Varma had equaled that mark with a 45-ball ton against Gujarat Titans, but Rickelton managed to go one better. His name now tops an illustrious list of MI’s fastest centurions: Rickelton (44 balls), Jayasuriya (45), Varma (45), Cameron Green (47), and Suryakumar Yadav (49).
Beyond individual milestones, Rickelton’s innings was crucial for Mumbai Indians’ campaign. The five-time champions have had a rocky start to the 2026 season, languishing in ninth place with just two wins from seven matches. With playoff hopes hanging by a thread and seven games left in the league stage, MI needed a spark. Rickelton delivered just that, providing both runs and hope as the team seeks to claw its way back into contention.
Supporting Rickelton’s fireworks, Naman Dhir contributed a brisk 22 off 17 balls, while Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya chipped in with valuable cameos. Rickelton forged key partnerships—93 with Jacks, 55 with Dhir, and 56 with Pandya—to keep the scoreboard ticking and the pressure on the Sunrisers. By the end of 20 overs, Mumbai Indians had piled up a formidable 243 for 5, one of their highest totals in IPL history and the highest ever at the Wankhede for the franchise.
For Sunrisers Hyderabad, it was a night to forget with the ball. Praful Hinge managed to pick up two wickets but was expensive, conceding 54 runs in his four overs. The rest of the Hyderabad attack struggled to contain the MI batters, as boundaries flowed freely and the Wankhede faithful roared with every big hit.
Rickelton’s performance also placed him in elite company. He became only the second wicketkeeper-batter after Quinton de Kock to score a century for Mumbai Indians. The South African’s innings was his first IPL century and his fourth in T20 cricket overall. It was a remarkable turnaround for a player who had faced the disappointment of being dropped just a week earlier.
“I knew I had to make the most of this opportunity,” Rickelton told reporters after the match. “There’s a lot of competition for places, and with Quinton injured, I wanted to step up for the team.”
With this record-breaking knock, Rickelton has not only revived Mumbai’s campaign but also given the fans a new hero to cheer for. The innings will be remembered for its timing, its audacity, and the sheer joy it brought to the Wankhede crowd. As the IPL 2026 season heats up, Mumbai Indians will be hoping that Rickelton’s return to form is the catalyst for a late surge up the points table.
As things stand, Mumbai Indians have posted a daunting total of 243 for 5, and Sunrisers Hyderabad face a steep chase under the lights at Wankhede. The match is still in progress, and all eyes are on whether Rickelton’s heroics will be enough to secure a much-needed win for the home side. Whatever the outcome, April 29, 2026, will be remembered as the night Ryan Rickelton lit up the IPL with a record-breaking masterpiece.