MI Stint Was 'Huge': Bevon Jacobs Eyes IPL Return
NZ batter Bevon Jacobs opens up about his time with Mumbai Indians and his desire to return to the IPL to grow his game.
New Zealand batter Bevon Jacobs has opened up about his time with the Mumbai Indians, describing his stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a massive learning curve. Speaking ahead of the fourth T20I against India in Auckland, the Kiwi cricketer highlighted how experiencing different playing conditions and sharing a dressing room with global superstars helped him evolve as a player.
Learning from the Best at Mumbai Indians
Although Jacobs was roped in by the five-time champions ahead of the 2025 IPL, he did not get the opportunity to feature in a match. However, the experience of being around a star-studded squad—including the likes of Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Tilak Varma—proved invaluable for the batter, who was uncapped at the time of his acquisition.
"I think that experience was huge for me just to go over and learn, especially in some different conditions," Jacobs remarked. "I think it is nice to experience conditions away from home... learning from those experiences in different conditions, but also just from the guys in the changing room with you, it is awesome."
Adding 'Strings' to His Game
The hard-hitting batter believes that participating in global T20 leagues is essential for modern cricketers to diversify their skill sets. While he expressed a keen interest in returning to the marquee tournament, noting that such leagues help players add "different strings to their game," his immediate priority remains the battle against India.
New Zealand enters the fourth T20I in Auckland fighting for self-respect in the series. Jacobs has been one of the standout performers for the Black Caps so far, accumulating 128 runs across three innings, including a half-century.
A Rising Talent on the Global Stage
Since making his international debut against South Africa in June last year, Bevon Jacobs has established himself as a reliable force in the shortest format. His international record stands at 311 runs in 14 matches (12 innings), boasting an average of 34.55 and a strike rate of 146.00, with a top score of 62*.
Career Snapshot:
- International T20s: 311 runs in 12 innings, 2 fifties.
- Overall T20 Career: 1,288 runs in 48 innings, 9 fifties, best score of 90*.
- Overall T20 Stats: Average of 34.81 with a strike rate of 146.86.
Beyond the IPL, Jacobs has also featured in several other major leagues, including the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and the International League T20 (ILT20) in the UAE, though he has yet to make a significant impact in those competitions.
Despite the allure of returning to the IPL, Jacobs remains grounded. "Obviously being able to explore those opportunities is really cool... But, again, as I said, I think for me it's just about contributing to the team and focusing on the task at hand," he concluded.