Mumbai Indians (MI) re-signed South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock for Rs 1 crore at the ongoing IPL 2026 mini-auction, marking a return to a franchise where he enjoyed some of the most successful years of his IPL career.
De Kock, who was released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the auction, re-entered the player pool after a modest IPL 2025 season. MI moved swiftly to secure the experienced opener at a low cost, bringing him back to familiar surroundings.
IPL career and numbers
As of the end of the IPL 2025 season, de Kock has played 115 IPL matches, scoring 3,309 runs at an average of 30.64 and a strike rate of 134.02. He has registered two centuries and 24 half-centuries, with a highest score of 140 not out. Behind the stumps, he has taken 73 catches and effected 16 stumpings.
Franchise journey
Over the years, de Kock has represented multiple IPL teams, including Sunrisers Hyderabad (2013), Delhi Daredevils (2014–2016), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2018), Mumbai Indians (2019–2021), Lucknow Super Giants (2022–2024), and Kolkata Knight Riders (2025).
His most successful stint came with Mumbai Indians, where he was a key member of their back-to-back title-winning campaigns in 2019 and 2020, scoring over 500 runs in both seasons as an opener.
One of the standout moments of his IPL career came in 2022, when he smashed 140 off 70 balls* for Lucknow Super Giants against KKR. In that match, de Kock and KL Rahul also recorded the highest opening partnership in IPL history (210 runs).
Return to MI after KKR release
De Kock was signed by KKR for the 2025 season, but managed 152 runs in eight matches, leading to his release ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
With MI securing him for Rs 1 crore, the franchise adds a proven opener and experienced wicketkeeper to its squad at a bargain price, completing a familiar reunion ahead of the upcoming IPL season.
