Mumbai: The Mumbai Indians kicked off their campaign in style, defeating the Kolkata Knight Riders by six wickets in a high-scoring thriller to register their first opening-match victory since 2012.
In a run-fest featuring 444 runs, Mumbai chased down a daunting 221 with confidence, sealing the win in the final over at the Wankhede Stadium.
Put into bat, Kolkata rode on a fluent knock from captain Ajinkya Rahane and brisk contributions across the order to post a formidable 220. Despite a flying start in the powerplay, the visitors lost momentum in the middle overs as Mumbai’s bowlers tightened the screws.
The standout performer with the ball was Shardul Thakur, who claimed 3 for 39 and later earned the Player of the Match award for his crucial breakthroughs.
Mumbai’s chase began explosively. The opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton dismantled the Kolkata attack, stitching together a commanding 148-run stand that laid the foundation for victory. The duo attacked both pace and spin, denying KKR any opportunity to build pressure.
After the openers departed, cameos from Suryakumar Yadav and skipper Hardik Pandya ensured there were no late hiccups. Mumbai maintained the required rate throughout, with boundaries flowing in almost every over, before completing their highest successful run chase in IPL history.
Pandya expressed relief at finally starting a season on a winning note. He credited the opening partnership for setting the tone and praised the bowlers for keeping Kolkata within reach despite the big total. Thakur, meanwhile, said he thrives in challenging situations and hoped to continue contributing to the franchise.
Rahane admitted that while 220 looked competitive, Mumbai’s aggressive batting made the difference. He also highlighted positives for his side, noting that their young bowlers gained valuable experience and the team would aim to bounce back stronger.
With this emphatic win, Mumbai not only opened their account but also shed a long-standing jinx, making a confident statement at the start of the season.
Source: Cricbuzz, ESPN Cricinfo
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