South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton has set his sights on becoming the team’s first-choice opener in T20Is, while continuing to play his natural aggressive brand of cricket.
“I’m still trying to establish myself in the T20 side, but I don’t think there’ll be any expectation for me to change anything that I’ve been doing over the last two years,” Rickelton said ahead of the T20I series against Australia.
“It’s just an opportunity for me to hopefully claim that opening spot for this South African side, going into the World Cup and beyond.”
South Africa are currently searching for a new opening pair in the absence of Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, and Temba Bavuma. With the T20 World Cup approaching next year, the race for spots is heating up. For the series in Australia, Rickelton and Lhuan-dre Pretorius have been selected, though captain Aiden Markram is also an opening option. Despite the stiff competition, Rickelton insists he will not alter his playing style.
“The way the team is structured fits the mould of how they want me to play too, so I’m pretty comfortable with what’s required. I’m always looking to land that first punch and get the side off to a good start, no matter who’s alongside me at the top,” added Rickelton.
Rickelton enjoyed an impressive IPL 2025 season with the Mumbai Indians, playing 14 matches and scoring 388 runs at an average of 29.85 and a strike rate of 150.97, including three half-centuries. In 13 T20I innings, the left-handed batter has scored 263 runs at an average of 20.23, with one fifty to his name.
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