Openers Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma hit blistering half-centuries to lead the Mumbai Indians to a six-wicket win over the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Chasing 221 for victory on Sunday, five‑time IPL champions Mumbai rode a commanding 148-run opening stand from Rickelton (81 off 43 balls) and Rohit (78 off 38) to reach their target with five balls to spare at the Wankhede Stadium.
The 38-year-old Rohit, who plays just the ODI format for India after retiring from Test and T20Is, hit six fours and six sixes.
Rohit Sharma in his element 🙌
🎥 Enjoy his scintillating early smacks for six 👊#MI are 64/0 after 5 overs.
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— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 29, 2026
His batting blitz came a day after long-time international teammate Virat Kohli steered the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a big win in the tournament opener.
It needed a special effort to dismiss Rohit and Anukul Roy pulled off a stunning catch while running back from mid-on to finally dislodge the star batsman.
Athleticism at its best 😮
🎥 Anukul Roy with a 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 to end Rohit Sharma’s fabulous innings 🫴👏
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— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 29, 2026
Rickelton kept up the attack as he hit his eighth six after Rohit’s departure, continuing the pummelling of the Kolkata attack.
He was finally run out after a direct throw from Roy hit stumps at the non-strikers’ end.
Mumbai’s chase slowed down before skipper Hardik Pandya (18*) and Tilak Varma (20) helped the team get over the line.
Mumbai won their opening match in the league for the first time since 2012.
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Pandya won the toss and invited three-time winners Kolkata to bat first amid a loud roar from the home Mumbai crowd.
Captain Ajinkya Rahane and New Zealand’s Finn Allen handed Kolkata a blazing start and the team finished on 220-4.
Breathing fire up top! 🎆
🎥 Ajinkya Rahane and Finn Allen struck them sweetly during a blistering stand 👌
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— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 29, 2026
Rahane went on to hit 67 off 40 balls after Allen fell for 37. Australia international Cameron Green contributed 18.
Rinku Singh’s 33* off 21 balls gave Kolkata a late lift, but it wasn’t enough to challenge Mumbai.
Mumbai medium-pace bowler Shardul Thakur returned figures of 3-39, while Jasprit Bumrah finished wicketless but played a role in checking Kolkata’s scoring in the middle overs.
– AFP
Photo: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters