Rickelton at Peace After T20I Omission, Makes Strong SA20 Statement Ahead of World Cup Squad

MI Cape Town opener Ryan Rickelton says he has “made peace” with his current situation after being left out of South Africa’s most recent T20I squad ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, where Quinton de Kock was preferred. Despite the setback, Rickelton delivered a timely reminder of his credentials with a scintillating 63-ball 113 in the opening match of SA20 2026.

With South Africa’s World Cup squad set to be announced later this week, Rickelton acknowledged that while the tournament offers players a platform to push their case, he is no longer fixated on selection outcomes.

“I’m just trying to find my feet again with the bat and contribute,” Rickelton said after his century in Cape Town. “I’m at peace with whatever happens. Obviously this tournament is a platform for players to put their hands up, but I’m definitely not thinking about the World Cup. I’m just trying to enjoy the game again.”

Rickelton’s omission followed a challenging period on the international stage, particularly on the subcontinent. His tour peaked with a first-innings 71 in the opening Test against Pakistan in Lahore, but he failed to register another fifty in his next seven Test innings. He was rested for the white-ball leg of the Pakistan tour and later endured a difficult ODI series in India, where he recorded consecutive ducks.

The struggles contrasted sharply with his strong start to 2025. Rickelton scored a double century in the New Year’s Test against Pakistan, finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the previous SA20 season, and notched his maiden ODI hundred against Afghanistan during the Champions Trophy.

Reflecting on the fluctuating year, Rickelton admitted the mental toll it took on him.

“It’s been an up-and-down year,” he said. “It started really nicely but at the back end, I had a tough white-ball leg in India. The last couple of months were mentally tough. Touring the subcontinent can be hard because it’s difficult to get out of your own head.”

Returning home to Cape Town, Rickelton said, helped him regain perspective. Surrounded by family and friends, he found space to reconnect with the game away from constant pressure.

Though his domestic roots lie in Johannesburg, Rickelton has enjoyed notable success in Cape Town with both MI Cape Town and the national side. He was the leading run-scorer in SA20 2024, a run that helped him break into the South African team during a period when de Kock was unavailable.

Now, de Kock’s return has intensified competition. Both players are left-handed opening batters and wicketkeepers, and Rickelton’s place is under pressure not only in the national setup but also at IPL level. Mumbai Indians recently signed de Kock at the auction for INR 1 crore, despite Rickelton scoring three fifties in his debut IPL season.

De Kock, who represents Sunrisers Eastern Cape in SA20, opened his campaign with a brisk 42 off 24 balls and will feature again shortly. National coach Shukri Conrad has previously suggested that there could be room for both players in the T20 setup, though competition remains fierce from Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke, Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen.

Rickelton’s SA20 century — featuring a record 11 sixes in a single innings — may strengthen his case. Although MI Cape Town fell 15 runs short while chasing a daunting 233, Rickelton kept them in contention until the final over.

“When you’re chasing 233, you don’t have a lot of time to think,” he said. “You’ve just got to take the game on. That brings out a nice version of me in T20 cricket. If you get a sniff, you back yourself.”

Whether that innings is enough to secure Rickelton a place in South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad will be revealed on Friday, when the 15-member squad is officially announced.