Bevon Jacobs turned out to be a wildcard pick by Mumbai Indians at the IPL 2025 Auction for a base price of INR 30 Lakhs.
The world of cricket has seen its fair share of overnight sensations, but the story of Bevon-John Jacobs might top them all. The 22-year-old New Zealand cricketer, relatively unknown even in his home country until a year ago, woke up in New Zealand on Tuesday morning to the news that he had been snapped up by the Mumbai Indians (MI) for IPL 2025.
Jacobs, who had no inkling of the momentous event unfolding at the IPL auction in Jeddah thousands of miles away, was inundated with messages. Among the first to inform him was his cousin in South Africa.
“I woke up and saw my phone blowing up,” Jacobs recalled in an interview with ESPN Cricinfo. “One of the messages read, ‘You’ve just been picked up by Mumbai Indians.’ I couldn’t believe it.”
The MI scouting team, known for unearthing unpolished gems and turning them into global stars, raised the paddle for Jacobs towards the end of the two-day auction. They secured his services for INR 30 lakh, a modest sum in a mega-auction that saw some of the biggest names in cricket go under the hammer.
A Star in the Making
Jacobs’ cricketing journey is as remarkable as it is unconventional. Born in Pretoria, South Africa, Jacobs moved to New Zealand with his family at the age of three. His cricketing roots were laid in Auckland before he shifted to Canterbury, where he made his senior T20 and List A debuts. Ahead of the 2024-25 domestic season, he returned to Auckland, where his hard-hitting abilities caught the attention of coaches and selectors alike.
Primarily a middle-order batter, Jacobs burst onto the scene during the 2023-24 Super Smash season. His ability to finish games with explosive cameos stood out. In six innings, he smashed 134 runs at a staggering strike rate of 188.73, second only to Doug Bracewell among batters who faced at least 50 balls. On his debut against Auckland, Jacobs delivered a memorable performance, taking apart seasoned bowlers like Sean Solia and Jimmy Neesham with a scintillating 42 off 20 balls.
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Jonathan Bassett-Graham, Auckland cricket’s acting head of performance, described Jacobs’ power-hitting as a “real bonus.” It’s a skill set that Mumbai Indians clearly value, given their history of investing in players with big-hitting potential.
Jacobs’ exploits haven’t been limited to New Zealand. During the New Zealand winter, he played in the Queensland T20 Max tournament in Australia. His standout moment came when he blasted 100 off 40 balls for South Brisbane, showing his ability to dominate bowling attacks with clean hitting and excellent range. This performance likely put him on the radar of MI’s scouting network, led by former New Zealand captain John Wright.
Reflecting on his time in Queensland, Jacobs said, “I guess there was a little bit of media around that tournament, and I happened to get some runs at the end, which was nice. It was my first experience playing as an overseas player, and I think it gave me a bit of familiarity with stepping out of my comfort zone.”
While the IPL contract marks a significant milestone in Jacobs’ career, his ultimate goal remains representing New Zealand at the international level.
“The Black Caps have been a dream of mine since I was a kid,” he said. “That’s always going to be the first and foremost goal for me.”
Given the exodus of New Zealand internationals opting out of central and domestic contracts in favour of T20 leagues, Jacobs’ chances of breaking into the national white-ball setup could increase if he impresses in the Super Smash and IPL.
Bevon Jacobs Looking Forward to the IPL
Jacobs is under no illusions about the challenges that await him in the IPL. Facing the world’s best bowlers on a global stage is a significant step up, but the young batter is determined to prepare thoroughly.
“I think the best way for me to perform there is if I have a strong technical base,” he said. “We’re building on a couple of factors with that, and I’m focusing on scoring runs in upcoming domestic games.”
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Jacobs will soon join the star-studded Mumbai Indians setup, which includes seasoned campaigners like Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner. The opportunity to learn from such experienced players and compete in the world’s most high-profile T20 league is a dream come true for the young cricketer.
Mumbai Indians’ Track Record with Uncut Gems
Mumbai Indians have a history of turning unheralded players into household names. Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, and Marco Jansen are just a few examples of players who thrived after being discovered by MI’s scouting team. The franchise will hope that Jacobs follows a similar trajectory.
For now, Jacobs’ focus is on Auckland’s upcoming Plunket Shield match against Canterbury, his former team. Beyond that, the IPL beckons—a golden opportunity for the young batter to announce himself on the world stage and take the next step in his cricketing journey.
