Rohit Sharma’s off-side masterclass, complemented by Ryan Rickelton’s on-side dominance, helped Mumbai Indians finish a 14-year wait and start its Indian Premier League marketing campaign with a commanding six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders on the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday evening.
Chasing 221, Mumbai Indians barely broke a sweat as Rohit and Rickelton stitched collectively a blistering 148-run opening stand off simply 72 balls towards a hapless KKR bowling assault. The platform ensured the chase by no means stretched the house aspect’s batting sources, with Naman Dhir sealing the win by off-driving Anukul Roy for 4 off the primary ball of the ultimate over — handing MI its first season-opening victory since 2012.
Rohit started cautiously, opening his account with a thick inside-edged 4 off Blessing Muzarabani, one in every of three IPL debutants for KKR. However as soon as set, the MI veteran produced a classic show of off-side strokeplay. He lofted Muzarabani for an inside-out six within the fourth over, greeted Varun Chakaravarthy with the shot of the evening, and later despatched Kartik Tyagi hovering over covers. In between, the crisp drives via cover-point flowed freely, drawing loud “Rohit, Rohit” chants from the Wankhede crowd.
Rickelton, in the meantime, dominated the leg aspect, capitalising on wayward traces from the KKR bowlers. The guests’ woes have been compounded by captain Ajinkya Rahane leaving the sector after the third over because of cramps, depriving them of on-field management throughout a vital part.
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Earlier, Rahane had led KKR’s cost with the bat after being put in. Together with Finn Allen, he powered the aspect to a brisk begin earlier than Shardul Thakur’s golden arm turned the tide. Making his MI debut, Thakur struck in every of his first three overs, first dismissing Allen with a knuckle ball earlier than eradicating Cameron Inexperienced with a intelligent change of tempo.
Rahane, nonetheless, remained aggressive, welcoming Mayank Markande with two sixes and persevering with his assault earlier than Jasprit Bumrah briefly stemmed the stream. Thakur finally dismissed Rahane within the 14th over, however late contributions ensured KKR completed with a aggressive whole — one which finally proved inadequate towards Mumbai’s dominant opening act.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Rinku Singh then helped KKR attain the 220-run mark. Ultimately, it wasn’t sufficient
Revealed on Mar 29, 2026