IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Match 2 - Who Said What?

The Mumbai Indians opened their account in the IPL 2026 with a dominant victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders by six wickets at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29.

Being put into bat, the Kolkata Knight Riders got to a massive 220/4 courtesy a brilliant 40-ball 67 from Ajinkya Rahane, a half-century (51 off 29) from Angkrish Raghuvanshi, a 17-ball 37 from Finn Allen and a late 21-ball 33-run cameo from Rinku Singh. Shardul Thakur, on Mumbai Indians debut, picked up three key wickets, finishing with 3/39 from his four overs, while Jasprit Bumrah went for just 35 runs in his four overs in another economical display, despite going wicketless.

In response, Mumbai started in fifth gear and never looked back, as Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton put on a partnership pf 148 runs off just 71 balls, taking down the pacers and spinners alike in a display of elegance and ruthlessness. The pair ensured MI were fully in control of the chase, and despite losing wickets later on in the innings, Hardik Pandya and Naman Dhir ensured the five-time champions romped home with five balls to spare.

Talking points

1) Mumbai break season opener jinx with highest successful chase

With their dominant display, Mumbai Indians finally break the 13-year jinx of not having won their first game of the IPL season. The last time they won their season opener was 2012, before the team had even lifted their first IPL trophy. What makes this result even more special is this being Mumbai Indians' highest successful run-chase in the IPL, beating the 219 they took down against the Chennai Super Kings in 2021.

2) Maverick Rohit Sharma at his belligerent best

Rohit Sharma looked at his fabulous best, taking the Kolkata Knight Riders bowlers all over the park in his masterful innings of 78. He scored runs all over the park in a masterful powerplay display as he got to fifty in just 23 balls, his fastest in the history of the tournament. This bodes well for the five-time champions. if their star opener is to have a big season. The prospect of a big season from Rohit would excite Mumbai Indians faithful as they keep hopes of the team lifting a sixth crown.

3) Ryan Rickelton makes his chance count

Ahead of the game, the bigger talking point was who would start among the South African wicketkeeper-batter duo of Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton as the opener alongside Rohit. Mumbai gave Rickelton the chance over the experienced veteran de Kock, considering his performances with the team in the last year. Rickelton took his chance and repaid the faith, finishing with 81 from 43 balls, setting the platform for the innings with Rohit  in a dominant 148-run partnership off just 71 balls.

4) Is Santner's absence a miss for Mumbai?

Mitchell Santner missed the game as he is yet to join the squad from New Zealand. In his absence, Allah Ghazanfar, the highly-rated Afghanistan mystery-spinner, was brought in. However, he was unable to get going and was taken around the park by the KKR batters, finishing with figures of 0/51, bowling to unfavourable matchups. This makes it apparent that Santner’s experience, and the variety he provides with his left-arm-spin was a vital part of Mumbai’s success formula.

Who said what?

Ajinkya Rahane, Kolkata Knight Riders captain

Feeling okay, just a lot of cramps to my calf and both the calves actually. So hopefully I'll be okay. I mean, just a lot of cramps. It was really tough. I thought 220-225 was a good total. We batted really well, but again, the inexperienced bowling attack. Playing against Mumbai Indians, strong batting lineup, it's a really learning curve for us. Apart from Vaibhav, Karthik, Muzarabani, haven't been used to IPL, two experienced spinners, but I thought Mumbai Indians batted well. So our bowlers will definitely learn. (On his batting) I'm still young, 37, I'm still young, feeling good, but yeah, struggling with my cramps. Happens in Mumbai, a lot of humidity, but really happy the way I'm batting at the moment. (On the bowling) I think when Green starts to bowl soon, the combination will slightly be different. At the moment, we have to see the balance, guys who can bowl well for us, batting-wise, as I said, we batted really well, but finding that balance with the ball is really important. So hopefully, Green starts to bowl soon. (Why Green can't bowl?) That's the question you need to ask Cricket Australia.  A lot of positives from the batting side. I thought Kartik bowled well, played a game after a while. I thought he was really good. So yes, as I said, a lot of positives and lots to learn as well.

Hardik Pandya, Mumbai Indians captain

"Obviously it's been a long wait [to win the season opener]. Everytime we've come we wanted to start the season on a high. The whole group is very glad we were able to do it. [On chasing big totals now] Modern cricket, plus we've seen what this wicket plays like. Credit to the bowlers, not letting KKR fly away to 240s or 250s. Those become tough targets but 220 is always chaseable. Rohit and Rickelton were outstanding. [On picking between Ricks and QDK] Ryan has done very well for us last year. And Quinny is a top man. He understood that we are backing the man, and having continuity. Glad it worked. Whenever I see Ro play some shots, it opens everyone's mouth. Nothing short of excellent, nothing short of outstanding. [On Thakur] I told him, enough hopping franchises. You have to be here for the rest of your career. The way he outsmarts batters, the way he bowls, brilliant."

Shardul Thakur, Player of the Match

"[What keeps you going on such batting decks?] I've said this before also, I like challenges. This was a challenging situation, especially sixth over. Because you expect Boult or Bumrah to get early wickets, but didn't happen. So it was challenging coming in and bowling that sixth over. Challenges are what have made me. This ground has given me bitter and sweet memories both. To come and play for MI is special. To come and play on my home ground. I was a net bowler and upcoming boy in the early years, quietly making my mark. Since then it was always going to happen, and it's finally happened. So it feels special. I'll be very happy if I stay here [for my career]. It's my home city. The kind of backing I have got here is amazing. To trade me from LSG and playing me first game. [On the Lord memes] I like them because people give that name with love. So it's not really a 'meme' meme. Just a way for people to show love.'