MI Cape Town's Ryan Rickelton happy to get out of his 'own head' after tough subcontinent tour

Let the cards fall where they fall. That’s Ryan Rickelton’s approach to the upcoming T20 World Cup in India. 

The Proteas opener kickstarted the Betway SA20 in sensational fashion with a thrilling 113 for MI Cape Town against Durban’s Super Giants at Newlands. 

But having been dropped from the Proteas T20 squad since Quinton de Kock’s comeback, Rickelton is not focused on his national aspirations at the moment and only wants to perform for MI Cape Town.

“In all honesty, I've kind of just made peace with where I am at the moment,” Rickelton said after MI Cape Town’s 15-run defeat to DSG.

“I was just trying to find my feet again with the bat and contribute to this team. I'm at peace so that whatever happens, happens. Obviously, this tournament is a platform for players to obviously put their hands up.

“But I'm definitely not thinking about it. I want to win this tournament with this team. Nice to be in a change of clothes as well and with a different group.

"It's just a different feel, a different experience I suppose. So yeah, just trying again to enjoy the game I think. Which maybe, you know, when you're not finding it in India, it can be quite hard.

"But just trying to enjoy the game, find my batting again and actually just play and try to win this tournament.”

Rickelton admitted though that the last few months on the subcontinent had been mentally draining, and that he was happy to be back in the comforts of home. 

“Touring the sub is quite hard, it's tough to get out of your own head,” he said. “I had a tough white ball leg in India. It was a tough last couple of months mentally, obviously cricket-wise and in the subcontinent as well. 

“So, coming in, I was actually quite nervous. I've just been really trying to double down on my preparation I suppose.

“Also, the beauty of Cape Town, the beauty of South Africa is that you get the opportunity to just get outside and experience a bit more than the game of cricket, especially the game of cricket in your head. So, I enjoy it.

“I have family and friends here. I got the opportunity to not even think about the game until I had to think about it as we walked in the park. That's probably the biggest blessing and the biggest enjoyment I get out of playing here in Cape Town and in Newlands.”

MI Cape Town travel to Durban to face the Super Giants in a rematch at Kingsmead on Sunday.