On March 29, the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) winners Mumbai Indians hosted Kolkata Knight Riders in their first IPL 2026 encounter at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. As anticipated, it was a run fest.
KKR openers Ajinkya Rahane and Finn Allen provided the visitors with an incredible start following the request to open first by beginning 69-run partnership within only 5.2 overs. As the KKR skipper was at the forefront, he made 67 runs in only 40 balls, whereas the Kiwi batsman made 37 runs in 17 balls. Young batsman Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who scored a big fifty with a brilliant performance of 51 runs among 29 balls, was also a great performer.
The three time IPL champions scored 220 runs in their 20 overs, which is not that easy. The show hero was Shardul Thakur of MI who had three wickets but only gave 39 runs in his four overs. Hardik Pandya who is the captain also lost a wicket.

Rohit Sharma took the lead of the chasing and blasted the KKR bowlers in powerplay overs as he pursued a daunting target of 221. The veteran batsman also performed a spectacle when he went on to score 78 runs on only 38 balls with half of them being towering sixes to earn his 48th IPL fifty. He was assisted by Ryan Rickelton his opening partner who smashed 81 runs in 43 balls. Hardik Pandya (18 off 11), Tilak Varma (20 off 14 balls) and Suryakumar Yadav (16 off 8 balls) gave the finishing touch to make it easy to achieve the goal.
It is pertinent to mention that MI was relieved after a spell of 13 years of season opener curse was broken by winning as they began their campaign first time since IPL 2012.

Below are the funniest memes from MI vs KKR in Match No.2 of IPL 2026:
Mumbai Indians chase down their highest successful total in the IPL history. pic.twitter.com/lFDOlQwNlI
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 29, 2026 THE WINNING MOMENT OF MUMBAI INDIANS – FIRST MATCH VICTORY AFTER 14 YEARS
– The five time Champions. pic.twitter.com/fMGKUKgbTQ
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 29, 2026 ROHIT SHARMA WALKING OUT AFTER THE D-E-S-T-R-U-C-T-I-O-N 💥❤️🔥❤️🔥#MIvsKKR #IPL2026 #OG pic.twitter.com/HHVHYJkkFM
— TheCricketCorner (@TheCricCorner) March 29, 2026 Ipl fans after witnessing Mumbai Indians winning 1st match:#MIvsKKR pic.twitter.com/oePoRGwotZ
— Tanishq Ganu (@smart__leaks) March 29, 2026 5varushathukku munnadi MI epdi ponano💙💥
Apdiye thirumba vanthuttan sollu🔥 MI daaa💥💙🥶🐐#MIvsKKR pic.twitter.com/ca2SemgKFa
— ★ 𝐌ᵃⁿ𝐈 ★❣︎ 𝐀𝐊 ❣︎💙😎 (@Thalamania47813) March 29, 2026 THE ROHIT SHARMA 2.0 IN THE IPL.
– 39 year old Rohit Sharma has smashed his fastest ever fifty in the IPL at 23 balls. 🤯🔥#MIvsKKRhttps://t.co/XvXDvZDf8I
— Swetha™ (@SwethaLittle_) March 29, 2026 TAKE A BOW, ROHIT SHARMA. 🫡
– 78 (38) with 6 fours and 6 sixes at the Wankhede in the opening match for MI. This is sensational stuff from the Hitman! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cZGSDthnu5
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 29, 2026 Thalaivan 1st Match Fifty +200 SR la @ImRo45 🥳💥 #MumbaiIndians #MIvsKKR pic.twitter.com/FbwseBNbCu
— Dr.TNR 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣 ヅ♡ MI (@TNROfficial_) March 29, 2026 THE WINNING MOMENT OF MUMBAI INDIANS – FIRST MATCH VICTORY AFTER 14 YEARS
– The five time Champions. pic.twitter.com/fMGKUKgbTQ
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 29, 2026 Front foot Six with no look midwicket six six at point Ya iam crying 😭 😭 @ImRo45 🙏🙏#MIvsKKR
pic.twitter.com/LEXh51dpYi
— SPR SALAAR (@rebelodifan) March 29, 2026 Mumbai Indians chase down their highest successful total in the IPL history. pic.twitter.com/lFDOlQwNlI
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 29, 2026
