The Wankhede Stadium witnessed a vintage batting display as the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) posted a towering 220/4 in their IPL 2026 opener against the Mumbai Indians (MI). Despite a “greener-than-usual” surface, KKR’s local heroes felt right at home, launching a relentless assault on the MI bowling attack.
The Rahane-Allen Blitzkrieg
KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane started his season in sublime style. Despite acknowledging the unusual amount of grass at the toss, Rahane smashed a brilliant 67 off 40 balls. He found a destructive partner in debutant Finn Allen, who vindicated his selection over Tim Seifert by hammering 37 off 17 balls.
The pair dismantled the MI Powerplay, amassing 78 runs in the first 6 overs. Hardik Pandya bore the brunt of the attack, conceding 26 runs in a single over as Allen and Rahane hit back-to-back boundaries and sixes.
Raghuvanshi Sustains the Momentum
Another Mumbai local, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ensured there was no mid-innings slump. He played a mature yet aggressive knock of 51 off 29 balls, providing the necessary cushion after the openers departed. Alongside the finishers, he pushed KKR to 100 in just 7.5 overs and eventually to the 220-mark.
Shardul Thakur Shines on Debut
In a game where most bowlers struggled, MI’s Shardul Thakur proved why he is called the “Golden Arm.” On his MI debut, he was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 3/39. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah remained typically economical, conceding only 35 runs in his four-over quota amidst the carnage.
Innings Summary:
- KKR: 220/4 (20 Overs)
- Top Scorers: Ajinkya Rahane (67), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (51), Finn Allen (37)
- MI Bowling: Shardul Thakur (3/39), Hardik Pandya (1/39)
- Target: 221 Runs
MI vs KKR Live Score