Rohit Sharma, Rickelton dismiss MI record chase, end 13-year jinx

Mumbai: Finally, mumbai indians It ended their bad luck of losing the first match of IPL, which was their bad habit for 13 seasons from 2013 to 2025. In fact, the unpopular streak seemed to continue when Kolkata Knight Riders posted a total of 220 for four after being asked to bat first at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday night. However, their opener is South Africa wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton (81, 43b, 4×4, 8×6) and former captain Rohit Sharma (78, 38b, 6×4, 6×6), they turned the clock with some ferocious knocks and started with their gleeful 148 off just 72 balls to defeat KKR. Even though the home team lost a few wickets in the closing moments, there was never any doubt about the issue. MI won the high-scoring match by 6 wickets with 5 balls remaining, much to the cheers of their shouting supporters. Two days into IPL 2026, the 200-plus total has been matched easily, almost in a comical way, which tells you how tough the life of an IPL bowler is. The battle between bats and balls in the league right now is heavily tilted in favor of the bats. Curiously, the Indian T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav Acted as an impact player and chipped in with 8 balls for 16 (3×4). Turning back the clock, Rohit hit some big sixes, with his trademark six off Kartik Tyagi standing out in the sixth over, while skipper Hardik Pandya (11 not out, 3×4) completed the task. To make matters worse for the visiting team, their captain Ajinkya LahaniHaving earlier shot 67 (40b, 3×4, 5×6), he had to leave the field due to cramps, leaving his deputy Rinku Singh to lead the team. A real concern for KKR’s future is also the poor form of their chief spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who is clearly struggling for rhythm after conceding 0-48 in four overs. Earlier, KKR batsmen covered various areas, senior batsmen Lahani Youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi (51, 29b, 4×4, 2×6) cracked the fifty while New Zealand opener Finn Allen (37 off 18 balls, 6×4, 2×6) and Rinku Singh (33 not out, 21b, 4×4) also played important cameos to help KKR achieve a formidable total. On a night when Mumbai players hogged the limelight in front of their home fans, Mumbai all-rounder Shardul Thakur MI was not far behind and made a vital contribution to MI’s victory. ‘Palghar Express’ marked a brilliant performance for MI with figures of 39 for 39 in four overs and was the bowler of choice for both sides in this match, with world top bowler Jasprit Bumrah losing his first wicket (0-38 in four overs). Thakur dismissed Allen (hit from long-off) in the sixth over to provide MI with a much-needed breakthrough at a time when the KKR openers were in a frenzy. The 34-year-old made smart use of the slow ball and his variations to take the scalps of Cameron Green (18, 10b, 1×4, 1×6, cleverly caught by a diving Sherfane Rutherford at deep cover) and Rahane, the latter of whom he had with KKR, for Rs 25.20 ’s debut (caught at cross seam, bowled full delivery outside off stump) to prevent KKR from escaping the game. Rahane got off to a strong start for KKR, scoring his 34th IPL fifty, while Allen, who scored an unbeaten hundred against South Africa in the 2026 T20 World Cup semi-finals earlier this month, scored 69 off just 32 balls in the first match to build up the total. It was his first official match in three months – he last played for Mumbai on December 16, when he took 72 balls without conceding to help Mumbai chase down 217 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Cup against Rajasthan in Pune. Rahane opted out of the Vijay Hazare Trophy and then in the second half of the Ranji Trophy last domestic season, and he didn’t look rusty. The veteran batsman batted beautifully, starting the batting early and unfurling some brilliant strokes, Thakur’s cover four being the best. There have been some questioning KKR’s decision to make Rahane captain again this season, but the 37-year-old was KKR’s highest run-scorer last season (390 runs in 13 games at 35.45, including three fifties) and he looks determined to prove his worth. Allen launched an all-out attack, taking a big jump off MI’s debuting Afghanistan spinner Allah Mohammad Ghazinfar (0-57 in four overs), taking two sixes and a four off him in the third over to end up with 17 runs. Rahane then bowled Hardik Pandya off the first two balls of the fourth over before Allen took three consecutive fours off the MI skipper, who conceded 26 balls in the third over. it’s over.