IPL 2026: Rohit, Rickelton Fifties Power Mumbai To Opening Win After 13 Years
Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton struck commanding half-centuries after Shardul Thakur returned figures of 3/39, helping the Mumbai Indians defeat the Kolkata Knight Riders and secure their first season-opening win in 13 years in the Indian Premier League on Sunday.
Thakur struck once in each of his first three overs to put the brakes on a flying KKR, who still managed to post a formidable 220/4, with skipper Ajinkya Rahane (67) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (51) scoring fluent half-centuries. In response, Rohit smashed 78 off 38 balls, while Rickelton blazed 81 off 43, as Mumbai chased down the target with six wickets in hand in Match 2.
Pursuing 221, Mumbai rode on a dominant opening stand between Rohit and Rickelton, racing to 224/4 in 19.1 overs at the Wankhede Stadium to seal victory.
It was vintage Rohit as the former captain rolled back the years with a scintillating knock, silencing doubts about his future in T20 cricket after stepping away from the international format. He brought up a 23-ball fifty — his fastest in the IPL — with three fours and five sixes, setting the tone early.
This was Rohit’s 50th IPL half-century in 268 matches, placing him among the elite, alongside Virat Kohli (73), David Warner (66), and Shikhar Dhawan (53).
Rickelton matched Rohit stroke for stroke, reaching his fifty off just 24 balls, with two fours and six sixes. The duo added 148 runs for the opening wicket in just 72 balls, effectively taking the game away from KKR.
Rohit, who struck six fours and six sixes, eventually fell while attempting a big hit off Vaibhav Arora, top-edging to Anukul Roy, who completed a fine diving catch.
Suryakumar Yadav, coming in as an Impact Substitute for Jasprit Bumrah, chipped in with a quick 16 off eight balls.
Rickelton continued his assault before being run out for 81, courtesy of a direct hit from Anukul Roy, leaving Mumbai at 184/3 in the 16th over and firmly in control. Though Tilak Varma (20) fell trying to finish things off, skipper Hardik Pandya (18 not out) sealed the win with a boundary in the final over.
Earlier after a cautious start, Rahane and Finn Allen launched a brutal assault, adding 54 runs in just 18 balls. KKR reached their fifty in 23 balls, powered by aggressive strokeplay.
The onslaught intensified when Pandya introduced Afghan spinner AM Ghazanfar, who was hit for 17 runs in his first over. The next over yielded 26 runs as Rahane and Allen went on the offensive.
Thakur eventually broke through, dismissing Allen for a 17-ball 37 as KKR finished the Power-play at 78/1. The opening pair had added 69 runs, laying a strong foundation.
Cameron Green chipped in with 18 off 10 balls before falling to Thakur, while Rahane continued his fine form, reaching his fifty in 27 balls.
Thakur struck again to remove Rahane, triggering a brief slowdown. However, Raghuvanshi revived the innings with a brisk knock, reaching his fifty off 28 balls, supported by Rinku Singh (33 not out), as KKR crossed the 200-run mark.
Despite the strong total, Mumbai’s explosive chase ensured they started their campaign on a winning note.
Brief scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 220/4 (Ajinkya Rahane 67, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 51, Finn Allen 37; Shardul Thakur 3/39) lost to Mumbai Indians 224/4 (Ryan Rickelton 81, Rohit Sharma 78) by six wickets.
