Fans Celebrate MI’s Six-Wicket Victory Against Kolkata Knight Riders

Mumbai Indians finally started their IPL 2026 season with a win as Hardik Pandya and his team played very well against the Kolkata Knight Riders. MI had not won an IPL opener since 2012. Their 6-wicket win over KKR ended a 13-year wait for a season-opening victory. It was also MI’s highest successful run chase in IPL history, beating their previous 219-run chase against Chennai Super Kings in 2021.

The five-time IPL champions had never chased more than 220 runs in their last seven attempts and had not won an opening game since 2012. On Sunday, they chased 221 in 19.1 overs, winning by six wickets.

Rohit Sharma scored 78 off 38 balls, and Ryan Rickelton scored 81 off 43 balls. Together, they added 148 runs for the first wicket in 72 balls.

KKR came into the game with weak bowling. On Sunday, Vaibhav Arora and Blessing Muzarabani were not effective, Varun Chakravarthy bowled poorly, and Sunil Narine was not at his best.

Key moments that defined the MI vs KKR clash

Put into bat, Kolkata Knight Riders looked set for a big total, thanks to timely half-centuries from Ajinkya Rahane (67) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (51). Finn Allen provided early fireworks, scoring 37 off just 17 balls, taking on debutant Allah Ghazanfar and helping KKR reach 78/1 in the powerplay.

Hardik Pandya was hit all over the ground as KKR started strongly. In the fourth over, Rahane and Allen scored 25 runs off Pandya. Rahane began with two sixes, and Pandya’s loose length made it easy for him. Finn Allen added three boundaries to complete a 25-run over, the second most he has ever conceded in IPL.

KKR crossed 100 within eight overs and looked in full control. However, debutant Shardul Thakur struck at key moments, removing Allen, Cameron Green, and Rahane to finish with 3/39. Despite this, KKR still posted a strong 220/4.

Chasing, Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton turned the game in Mumbai’s favour. Rohit combined power with timing, playing classic pulls and drives, while Rickelton matched him with aggressive strokes. Rickelton reached his fifty in just 24 balls.

By halfway, Mumbai were 122/0, with the opening stand reaching 148 runs in 12 overs, effectively taking control. Rohit eventually fell for 78, dismissed by Vaibhav Arora.

KKR tried to fight back. Kartik Tyagi removed impact sub Suryakumar Yadav for 16, and Rickelton fell to a run-out after scoring 81. Despite this, Mumbai remained in charge and comfortably chased the target.

Fans celebrate MI's winning start on social media

Mumbai Indians’ win over Kolkata Knight Riders quickly became the talk of social media. Fans took to Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to celebrate the team’s impressive performance. Many praised Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton for their explosive partnership that set the tone for the chase. Memes, videos, and highlights of Rohit’s 23-ball fifty and Rickelton’s 81-run innings were widely shared. Supporters expressed excitement about MI finally winning their IPL opener after a long gap.

Here is how the fans reacted: