Mumbai, March 30 (IANS) — Mumbai Indians ended a 13-year hoodoo in IPL season-openers as they beat Kolkata Knight Riders by six wickets at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, March 29, 2026. Chasing 221, Mumbai reached 224 for 4 in 19.2 overs, powered by Rohit Sharma’s 78 and a 148-run stand with Ryan Rickelton (81), while KKR had posted 220 for 4 thanks to half-centuries from Ajinkya Rahane (67) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (51).
Skipper Hardik Pandya said the win — the franchise’s first season-opener victory since 2012 — lifted a long-awaited burden. “Obviously, it’s been a long wait. Every time we wanted to start the season on a high note. The whole group is very glad we were able to do it,” he said after the match at Wankhede.
Pandya credited modern T20 batting conditions for making big totals chaseable but praised his bowlers for restricting KKR before the score escalated. “Credit to the bowlers, not letting KKR fly away to 240s or 250s. Those become tough targets, but 220 is always chaseable,” he said.
He reserved special praise for Rohit and Rickelton, calling their contributions “outstanding.” Pandya also highlighted the value of continuity in selection, singling out Quinton de Kock: “Quinny is a top man. He understood that we are backing the man and having continuity. Glad it worked.”
Left-arm quick Shardul Thakur proved decisive with the ball, claiming 3 for 39 to stall the KKR innings at crucial moments. Pandya said he had backed Thakur to settle at the franchise and lauded his planning and execution. “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,” Pandya added.
Reflecting on Rohit’s innings, Pandya marvelled at the veteran’s class. “Whenever I see Ro play some shots, it opens everyone’s mouth. Nothing short of excellent, nothing short of outstanding,” he said, underlining Rohit’s influence in a high-scoring chase that set the tone for Mumbai’s IPL 2026 campaign.
Original Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/ipl-2026-happy-to-win-season-opener-after-13-years-rohit-was-brilliant-says-pandya-after-six-wicket-win
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Publish Date: 2026-03-30 10:12:00
