MI vs KKR Highlights, IPL 2026: Mumbai win first game of season for first time since 2012

Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton’s explosive partnership helped Mumbai Indians chase down a record 221 against Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede. KKR’s 220/4 was a strong total, but Mumbai’s firepower proved too much. A perfect start to their IPL 2026 campaign as they break the jinx of not winning the first match in previous seasons.

“[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.’

“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.”

“[The knock feels] Pretty good. Didn’t have the best week’s preparation coming into this but finding the middle of the bat felt pretty special. [On the run out] I thought Tilak said yes, but I didn’t hear him clearly. And i was a bit lazy, couldn’t crawl back. Not Blessing’s fault, he was just trying to get the ball. Wasn’t in rhythm coming into the game, but I like to think I am old enough to know my game. Obviously, I felt that pressure and weight of having Quinny behind me. It was good to get the start. I felt the pressure, but I want to be able to play more freely. He’s also very helpful. We’re close and spend a lot of time together. He knows my game really well as well. Really nice to just be in the change room with him.”

“Feeling okay but lot of cramps, especially my calves. Hopefully I’ll be okay. It was really tough [for bowlers] Inexperienced bowling attack, but these boys will learn. Strong batting lineup. So it’s a learning curve. I thought MI batted well. So our bowlers will definitely learn. [On playing the way at his age] I’m still young, KP [Kevin Pietersen]. But yeah really happy with the way I am batting in the moment. Hopefully Green starts to bowl soon and the combination will be slightly different. We batted really well but finding that balance with the ball is really important. [On why Green can’t bowl] That question you need to ask Cricket Australia. [On positives] We batted well and I thought Kartik Tyagi bowled well. Played after a while but he was really good. Lot of positives and long way to go.”

Mumbai Indians chase down 220 with ease, thanks to Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton, and support from Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya. Naman Dhir finished it with a classy boundary, giving MI their first season-opener win since 2012 and completing their biggest chase in IPL history. Their previous biggest chase was 219 against Delhi Capitals in 2021.

Tilak Varma has departed for 20 after picking out Manish Pandey at long-on off Sunil Narine, giving Kolkata Knight Riders a breakthrough, but it may be too late now. Mumbai Indians still remain in control of the chase with only a small target left to finish the job.

Mumbai Indians have reached 201/3 after 17 overs, now needing just 20 from 18 balls. Tilak Varma finished the over with a clever scoop for four off Kartik Tyagi to keep MI in the chase. Hardik Pandya is rotating the strike as Kolkata Knight Riders feel pressure to deliver in the death overs.

Mumbai Indians have moved to 193/3 after 16 overs, needing 28 from 24 balls as the chase steadies again after the earlier twist with Ryan Rickelton’s dismissal. Hardik Pandya responded with two quick boundaries off Blessing Muzarabani in the same over.

Just when Mumbai Indians looked set to cruise, Ryan Rickelton was run out in a strange twist after a sharp direct hit from Anukul Roy off Blessing Muzarabani’s slower ball. The dismissal ended his superb 81 and gave Kolkata Knight Riders an opening in the chase. Rickelton took a single and wanted to go for another run when Tilak Varma sent him back. While returning to his crease, Muzarabani got in Rickelton’s way and the ball hit the stumps, sending him back to the pavilion.

Suryakumar Yadav has been dismissed for a quick 16 after holing out to Rinku Singh off Kartik Tyagi, giving Kolkata Knight Riders a much-needed second wicket. However, Mumbai Indians are firmly in control of the match. Tilak Varma has joined Ryan Rickelton at the crease with the target approaching.

Mumbai Indians are 175/1 after 14 overs, needing just 46 from 36 balls. Ryan Rickelton is batting on 80 and scored another boundary off Varun Chakravarthy on the last ball. Suryakumar Yadav is chipping in from the other end. Kolkata Knight Riders are struggling to find a breakthrough.

Mumbai Indians have moved to 163/1 after 13 overs, needing just 58 from 42 balls as the chase remains in their control. Ryan Rickelton is continuing his superb knock after Rohit Sharma’s departure. Suryakumar Yadav is rotating the strike well to keep the pressure on Kolkata Knight Riders.

Suryakumar Yadav got off the mark with his trademark Supla Shot for four off Vaibhav Arora, immediately after Rohit Sharma’s dismissal. He has come in as an Impact Sub and didn’t take part in the first innings, so he doesn’t even known the pace of the game well, which makes the shot even more special. MI are 152/1 in 12 overs.

Rohit Sharma’s blazing knock has ended on 78 off 38 balls after a stunning diving catch from Anukul Roy off Vaibhav Arora, finally giving Kolkata Knight Riders the much-needed breakthrough. Suryakumar Yadav has come in as Mumbai Indians’ Impact Player. Despite the wicket, the momentum remains with MI. KKR will need more wickets to do some real damage.

Kolkata Knight Riders are yet to turn to Cameron Green despite the strong opening stand from Mumbai Indians, raising questions about the bowling strategy. The Australian all-rounder, the costliest overseas players in IPL history, offers an option with the ball as well, but KKR are holding him back while desperately looking for a wicket to break the partnership between Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton.

Mumbai Indians have reached 122/0 after 10 overs against Kolkata Knight Riders, needing 99 from 60 balls with both openers in full flow. Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma are continuing the record opening stand. KKR need wickets to stop this carnage from Rohit and Rickelton. The latter was even dropped twice by KKR in previous overs, allowing MI to get away in this chase of 221.

Kolkata Knight Riders missed another crucial chance as Ryan Rickelton was put down in the deep, giving Mumbai Indians a big let-off. This is the second time Rickelton has been dropped and it might cost KKR the game.

Mumbai Indians have raced to 110/0 after 9 overs against Kolkata Knight Riders, with Ryan Rickelton smashing a quickfire half-century and continuing the aggressive start alongside Rohit Sharma. Rickelton hit Sunil Narine for two sixes in the over. MI now need 111 from 66 balls.

Mumbai Indians have moved to 96/0 after 8 overs and Kolkata Knight Riders need to break the opening partnership as soon as possible to regain control of the match. MI now need 125 from 72 balls, keeping the chase on track. Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton are making it look easy in the middle.

Sunil Narine introduced after the powerplay, and the veteran off-spinner begins on a tidy note with two singles in the first three balls as the field spreads out. Rickelton, however, ensures that the over isn’t too quiet as he slog-sweeps into the stands beyond deep midwicket, hitting against the turn. Eight from the over. MI 88/0 after 7; target: 221

Rohit Sharma completes a half-century of half-centuries in the IPL – a feat achieved only by a handful of individuals in the league’s history! Brings up the milestone with a brace in the final ball of powerplay, taking 23 deliveries to get there. Another big over for MI with 16 coming off, with Rohit smashing KKR’s ‘Impact Sub’ for a couple of maximums over cover and midwicket. Rohit and Rickelton were going neck-and-neck at one point but it’s the ‘Hitman’ who has surged ahead and assumed charge. KKR were 78/1 at the same stage. MI have two more on the board without losing a wicket.

Spin introduced for the first time today, and Rohit welcomes leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy into the attack with a four and a six – going inside-out over cover for a four first ball before producing a lofted drive down the ground over long off next ball. Targets the other side of the boundary two balls later with a slog-sweep behind square for a four. 15 from Varun’s first over. MI 64/0 after 5; target: 221

Bit of a delay ahead of the fifth over, with Rahane appearing to struggle with what appears to be cramps, though there is also a possibility of it being a hamstring issue. Rinku had been named vice-captain ahead of the season, and gets an opportunity to lead the side in the very first game, even if temporarily.

Rohit smashes Muzarabani for his second maximum at the start of the Zimbabwean pacer’s second over, skipping down the track and slapping a back-to-length delivery over deep extra cover. Rickelton helps himself to his third four balls later, pulling a length ball over long on with a clean strike. MI 49/0 in 4; target: 221

Arora’s smashed for three sixes in his second over, with two of them coming off Rickelton’s bat! Bowls into the slot to Rohit in the second delivery, and the ‘Hitman’ confidently dispatches it towards the midwicket fence for the first six of the MI chase. Rickelton then smashes the ball towards either side of the wicket for back-to-back sixes towards the end of the over, going for a lofted drive over extra cover in the fifth before heaving a short delivery towards deep midwicket in the final delivery. MI 34/0 in 3; target: 221

Blessing Muzarabani, a last-minute signing for KKR ahead of the season, concedes 9 in his first over on IPL debut, with Rohit and Rickelton collecting a boundary each. Both boundaries, however, aren’t the product of confident shots – Rohit getting an inside edge towards fine leg and Rickelton mishitting the ball down the ground towards the vacant long on region. MI 15/0 in 2; target: 221

Rickelton gets a thick outside edge off a full, wide delivery from Vaibhav Arora in the third delivery of the first over, with a misfield by Blessing Muzarabani at third man allowing the ball to go for a four. Six from the over. MI 6/0 after 1; target: 221

And it’s Rickelton, and not Rohit, who will be taking first strike for the five-time champions. The Knight Riders, meanwhile, have made their Impact Substitution – bringing pacer Kartik Tyagi in for opener Finn Allen.

In his interaction with commentators, KKR batter Angkrish Raguvanshi backed Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine to still get some help on the Wankhede pitch despite MI spinners struggling in the first innings. He said, “they can even spin on glass.”