The 2026 IPL season has been a rollercoaster for the Mumbai Indians (MI), but Match 47 against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Wankhede Stadium brought an explosive reminder of their batting pedigree.
Facing a daunting must-win scenario to keep their fading playoff hopes alive, MI was set a massive target of 229 after LSG posted a commanding 228/5 in their 20 overs. LSG's innings was fuelled by a blistering 21-ball 63 from Nicholas Pooran and a strong 44 off 25 by Mitchell Marsh. With their backs against the wall and Jasprit Bumrah having an uncharacteristically expensive outing, MI needed a miraculous start to stay in the hunt.
Returning to the side after a brief absence due to a hamstring injury, the 'Hitman' Rohit Sharma looked in imperious
touch from the very first ball. Partnering with the explosive South African wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton, the duo completely dismantled the LSG bowling attack.
They took the Wankhede by storm, launching bowlers like Avesh Khan and Mohsin Khan into the stands with breathtaking ease. Rickelton was particularly devastating, racing to a sensational 83 off just 32 deliveries. By the time Rickelton eventually chipped a delivery to extra cover off Mohsin Khan, the pair had already added a monumental 143 runs for the opening wicket in just 10.4 overs.
This devastating opening stand not only set the perfect platform for MI to chase down the mammoth 229-run target but also propelled the duo directly into the IPL record books.
Highest Partnerships for MI in the IPL (Any Wicket)
The phenomenal 143-run stand between Rohit and Rickelton is now etched among the greatest partnerships in the franchise's rich history. Incredibly, this is the second time this very season that the Rohit-Rickelton pairing has breached the 140-run mark, having previously smashed a 148-run opening stand against KKR at the same venue.
Here is the updated list of the highest partnerships for the Mumbai Indians in IPL history for any wicket:
- 167* - Rohit Sharma & Herschelle Gibbs vs KKR, Kolkata, 2012 (2nd wkt)
- 163* - Dwayne Smith & Sachin Tendulkar vs RR, Jaipur, 2012 (1st wkt)
- 148 - Rohit Sharma & Ryan Rickelton vs KKR, Wankhede, 2026 (1st wkt)
- 143* - Suryakumar Yadav & Tilak Varma vs SRH, Wankhede, 2024 (4th wkt)
- 143 - Rohit Sharma & Ryan Rickelton vs LSG, Wankhede, 2026 (1st wkt)
With this incredible foundation laid, the Mumbai Indians won the match by 6 wickets by pulling off one of the greatest run chases of the IPL 2026 season.
