IPL 2026: MI win their first opener in 14 years
What's the story
Mumbai Indians have finally broken the jinx, winning their first Indian Premier League (IPL) season opener since 2012. The five-time champions hammered Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 2 of the 2026 edition at Wankhede Stadium. They chased down a record 221, with Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton going berserk. Notably, MI recorded their highest successful run-chase in IPL history. Here are the key stats.
Start
Rohit, Rickelton fire after steady start
MI's chase was off to a patchy start, with only 15 runs coming in the first two overs. Rohit and Ricketlton were unstoppable thereafter. They went after every bowler, taking the hosts to 80/0 in six overs. By then, Rohit completed his 23-ball half-century. While KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane went out with an injury, the MI onslaught continued.
Finsh
Blistering start leads to comfortable win
KKR missed the ploy of introducing Sunil Narine in front of Rohit in the Powerplay. Both Narine and Varun Chakravarthy were ineffective thereafter and unable to contain the MI openers. MI were 135/0 in 11 overs before losing a well-set Rohit, as the latter fell to Vaibhav Arora. Although both Rickelton and impact sub Suryakumar Yadav departed, Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma starred in MI's six-wicket win.
Partnership
Record partnership for MI
Rohit and Rickelton added 148 runs off 71 balls, MI's second-highest opening stand in the IPL, according to Cricbuzz. This was only behind the unbeaten 163-run stand between Dwayne Smith and Sachin Tendulkar against Rajasthan Royals in 2012. Overall, this was the third-highest partnership for MI in IPL history. Rohit and Rickelton recorded the highest-ever opening stand for MI against KKR in the IPL.
Records
Rohit attains these feats
Rohit, whose blazing strokes were on display, slammed a 38-ball 78. He smashed 6 fours and 6 sixes. The former MI skipper notched his 50th score of 50-plus runs in the IPL, becoming the fourth player to do so after Virat Kohli, David Warner, and Shikhar Dhawan. Rohit's 23-ball half-century is his fastest in the IPL (Previous best: 25 balls).
Spell
Shardul Thakur shines on MI debut
Earlier, KKR openers Rahane and Finn Allen also smashed the MI bowlers. They slammed 68 runs in the first five overs. However, Shardul Thakur shone with his golden arm. Being introduced in the Powerplay's final over, Thakur dismissed Allen. In his next over, the MI pacer removed the dangerous Cameron Green. Thakur's final scalp was Rahane, who smashed a whirlwind half-century. The MI pacer finished with figures of 4-0-39-3.
Information
High-scoring fest in Mumbai
According to Cricbuzz, KKR's 220/4 was their second-highest total against MI in the IPL, behind 232/2 at Eden Gardens in 2019. On the other hand, MI recorded their highest successful run-chase in IPL history.
Milestones
Other records set by Rohit
During his knock, Rohit also became the highest run-getter versus KKR in IPL. The veteran opener went past David Warner's tally of 1,093 runs in this regard with his 11th run. Rohit now has the most runs against an opponent in the tournament, surpassing Virat Kohli (1,159 vs Punjab Kings). Rohit also became the first Indian to complete 550 T20 sixes.
Rickelton
Rickelton's fourth IPL fifty
On the other hand, Rickelton smashed an 81 off 43 balls (4 fours and 8 sixes) before being run out in the 16th over. The Proteas batter, who made his IPL debut last season, representing MI, had another strong start. He now has 469 runs from 15 matches at a strike rate of 156.33. This was his fourth half-century in the tournament.
KKR innings
Rahane, Raghuvanshi shine for KKR
Ajinkya Rahane was KKR's top-scorer, having smashed 67 off 40 balls (3 fours and 5 sixes). Angkrish Raghuvanshi (51 off 29 balls) and Rinku Singh (33* off 21 balls) also chipped in with vital knocks in the second half. Rahane, who has 5,000-plus runs, scored his fourth half-century for KKR. And Raghuvanshi recorded his third IPL fifty, all for KKR.
Do you know?
MI snap losing streak
As mentioned, MI finally won their IPL season opener after 14 years. The last time the five-time winners won their opening match was back in 2012. They hadn't even won a title back then.