England all-rounder Will Jacks is set to arrive in India later this week to link up with Mumbai Indians, having missed the franchise’s first four matches of the IPL 2026 season following an extended stretch of international cricket.
The 27-year-old had taken time off after a demanding run that saw him feature in four of England’s five Tests during The Ashes, before moving into the white-ball leg with the tour of Sri Lanka and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Jacks emerged as one of England’s most impactful players during the World Cup, scoring 226 runs and picking up nine wickets as they advanced to the semi-finals, reinforcing his value as a multidimensional option in the T20 format.
His arrival comes at a critical phase for Mumbai Indians, who have struggled to build momentum in the early part of the season. The five-time champions have managed just one win from their opening four matches and currently sit in the bottom half of the table. Their most recent outing, a heavy defeat while chasing 241 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Wankhede Stadium, has added to the pressure around the side, particularly in terms of their bowling execution and decision-making in key moments.
Mumbai Indians batting coach Kieron Pollard confirmed that Jacks is expected to join the squad soon and addressed speculation around his fitness. “We’re expecting Will Jacks very soon. As you alluded to, fitness issues, to my knowledge, I don’t know anything about that. We are a team made up of over 20 members. And at this point, he’s not here. But he will be here soon,” Pollard said during a pre-match press conference.
Pollard also indicated that Jacks’ all-round ability could provide the balance Mumbai Indians have lacked in their opening matches. With the ability to contribute with both bat and ball, Jacks offers flexibility to the side, particularly in the middle overs where Mumbai have struggled to control games.
The focus, however, remains on captain Hardik Pandya, who has come under scrutiny for his on-field decisions despite his recent success in India’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign. Mumbai’s performances so far have raised questions about their tactical approach and consistency, especially given the depth and experience available in the squad.
With a crucial phase of the tournament approaching, Mumbai will next face Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer. Another fixture against Royal Challengers Bengaluru follows soon after, making Jacks’ return timely as the team looks to stabilise its campaign.
