Watch: MI skipper Hardik Pandya enjoys long drive in his Ferrari after IPL 2026 first win

Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI) started the IPL 2026 with a strong win against the three-time IPL winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday night (March 29). After that victory, MI captain Hardik Pandya went for a long drive in his Ferrari after the team bus reached the team hotel.

Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai hosted the match, where Mumbai Indians chose to field first after winning the toss. After KKR scored 220/4 in 20 overs, MI comfortably chased down the target in 19.1 overs after losing four wickets, where their opening partners Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton had a big partnership of 148 runs.

After MI reached the team hotel, skipper Hardik Pandya didn't enter the hotel, but chose to drive in his Ferrari. Nobody is shocked by this, as many people know that he likes to celebrate like this.

Why was this MI win different and special?

The victory was very special for the Mumbai Indians. It was their first season opener victory since the IPL 2013, as they had to wait for 14 years to enjoy an IPL season opener. Previously, they won the IPL season opener in the 2012 edition, when they thrashed the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by eight wickets.

Meanwhile, MI also recorded their highest successful chase on Sunday night, when they successfully chased the 221-run target against the visitors KKR. While Rohit Sharma scored 78 off 38 balls, Ryan Rickelton scored 81 off 43 balls.

Captain Hardik Pandya had effective outing

In their season opener, MI captain Hardik Pandya played an effective role in limited responsibilities. First, the right-arm pacer had the bowling figures of 3-0-39-1, while he dismissed the dangerous Angkrish Raghuvanshi (51 off 29 balls) in the crucial 19th over, after which the visitors could hit only one boundary in the last nine balls of that innings.

Later, they were in a comfortable position when the skipper Hardik joined the crease. The right-handed middle-order batter scored 18 not out off 11 balls with three fours to secure a memorable win.