In a commanding display of all-round cricket, England’s Will Jacks finally found his rhythm in the Mumbai Indians’ blue jersey, spearheading a comfortable four-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday evening. The win marked Mumbai’s third success of IPL 2025, breathing new life into their campaign after a challenging start to the season.
Jacks, who had struggled to make an impact since joining Mumbai Indians in the 2025 auction for INR 5.25 Crore, delivered a match-winning performance with both bat and ball. His contributions proved instrumental in restricting SRH to a modest 162/5 before helping chase down the target with 11 balls to spare.
Jacks’ Bowling Masterclass
When specialist spinner Karn Sharma was forced to leave the field with a hand injury early in the SRH innings, captain Hardik Pandya turned to Jacks’ part-time off-spin – a decision that would transform the match. Introduced immediately after the powerplay, the 26-year-old Englishman responded with remarkable figures of 2/14 from his three overs.
Despite being primarily known for his explosive batting, Jacks showcased classical off-spin technique rarely seen in modern T20 cricket. Standing at 6’1″, he extracted extra bounce from the tacky Wankhede surface while maintaining impeccable control. His first over set the tone, conceding just seven runs against SRH’s aggressive left-handed openers.
The breakthrough came in his second over when he lured Ishan Kishan out of his crease with flight and sharp turn, allowing Ryan Rickelton to complete a swift stumping. Jacks then delivered the defining moment of the innings by dismissing the dangerous Travis Head, who miscued a drive to long-off after struggling to a 29-ball 28.
“If you bowl tentatively to people like that, it’s only going to end one way,” Jacks said in the post-match press conference. “I knew I could bowl with confidence and use my skills: I’m a tall bowler, I get good turn and bounce, so that’s what I was trying to do.”
Crucial Batting Contribution
With ball in hand, Jacks had already justified his selection, but his work wasn’t done. Coming in at number three after Rohit Sharma’s early dismissal for 26, the Englishman played a composed yet aggressive innings of 36 from 26 deliveries, featuring three boundaries and two sixes.
Despite receiving an early reprieve when Travis Head dropped a challenging chance at cover, Jacks made the most of his opportunity. His innings provided stability through the middle overs as he forged crucial partnerships with Ryan Rickelton (31) and Suryakumar Yadav (26).
When Jacks eventually fell to Pat Cummins in the 15th over with the score at 128, Mumbai needed just 35 runs from 33 balls. Captain Hardik Pandya (21 off 9) and Tilak Varma (21 not out) then provided the finishing touches, ensuring the victory never looked in doubt.
Team Effort Secures Victory
While Jacks deservedly claimed the Player of the Match award for his all-round excellence, Mumbai’s success was built on contributions throughout the lineup. The bowling unit effectively utilized the conditions, with Jasprit Bumrah (1/21) and Trent Boult (1/29) maintaining their usual high standards.
Hardik Pandya showed astute captaincy, not only with his bowling changes but also contributing with a crucial wicket of Abhishek Sharma. The Mumbai batters then approached the chase methodically, with five players reaching at least 20 runs, demonstrating their batting depth.
“It was a complete team performance,” Hardik praised in the post-match presentation. “Will [Jacks] was exceptional today, showing his value as an all-rounder. When we lost Karn early, we needed someone to step up with the ball, and he did exactly that. His batting was equally important in setting up the chase.”
SRH’s Struggles on Tacky Surface
Sunrisers Hyderabad never seemed to come to terms with the slightly sluggish Wankhede pitch. Their usually explosive opening pair of Abhishek Sharma (40 off 28) and Travis Head recorded their slowest powerplay together, managing just 46 runs in the first six overs.
Despite Heinrich Klaasen’s efforts (37 off 28) and Aniket Verma’s late cameo (18 not out off 8), SRH failed to post a competitive total on a ground known for high-scoring matches. Captain Pat Cummins (3/26) tried to defend the modest target with a spirited bowling performance, but the total proved insufficient against Mumbai’s determined batting lineup.
SRH head coach Daniel Vettori acknowledged Jacks’ impact: “He came up against our three left-handers. All those batsmen said it was hard to get down to him, and when he did drop short, it sat in the wicket and was difficult to hit.”
Looking Ahead
This victory propels Mumbai Indians up the points table, keeping their playoff hopes alive. For Jacks personally, this breakthrough performance should secure his place in the starting XI for upcoming fixtures.
“I know why I am here and what I can do – it’s about showing it to everyone,” Jacks remarked. “Today was a good start, but consistency is what matters in this tournament.”
As Mumbai continues their IPL campaign, they’ll be hoping their English all-rounder can deliver more performances like this one – reminding everyone that orthodox skills, even unfashionable ones like classic off-spin, still have a place in modern T20 cricket when executed with confidence and precision.
Mumbai’s next challenge comes against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday, while Sunrisers Hyderabad will look to bounce back when they face Rajasthan Royals on Saturday.
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