By Westferry Times Sport Desk
29 March 2026
Mumbai Indians are closing in on a thrilling run chase against Kolkata Knight Riders in their IPL 2026 opener, powered by explosive knocks from Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton at the Wankhede Stadium.
MI in Command of Chase
Chasing a daunting 221, Mumbai Indians reached 197/3 in 16.5 overs, needing just 24 runs from 19 balls at the time of writing.
Their win probability surged above 85%, putting them firmly in control of what could be a record chase.
Rohit & Rickelton Shine
- Rohit Sharma: 78 (38 balls)
- Ryan Rickelton: 81 (43 balls)
Rohit set the tone early with a blistering innings, bringing up his fastest IPL fifty (23 balls) and smashing six fours and six sixes.
Rickelton matched the aggression, racing to a 24-ball fifty and anchoring the chase before being run out after a superb direct hit from Anukul Roy.
KKR’s 220 Sets Up Thriller
Earlier, Kolkata Knight Riders posted a formidable 220/4, led by:
- Ajinkya Rahane: 67 (40)
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi: 51 (29)
- Rinku Singh: 33* (21)
Despite the big total, Mumbai’s bowlers pulled things back late, with Shardul Thakur picking up three wickets.
Key Turning Points
- Rohit’s powerplay assault took MI to 80/0 in six overs
- Rickelton’s rapid scoring kept the required rate under control
- A sharp run-out briefly lifted KKR, but MI remained ahead
What’s at Stake
If Mumbai Indians complete the chase, it would mark their highest successful run chase in IPL history, surpassing their previous best of 219.
With momentum on their side and set batters at the crease, MI look poised to start their campaign with a statement win.
