It was a run fest as expected at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on March 29, as the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians hosted
Kolkata Knight Riders in their opening match of the IPL 2026.
After being invited to bat first, KKR openers Ajinkya Rahane and Finn Allen gave the visitors an outrageous start, putting on a brisk 69-run opening partnership in just 5.2 overs. The Kiwi batter scored 37 runs in 17 balls, whereas KKR captain led from the front, scoring 67 runs in just 40 balls. Young batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi, too, scored an important fifty, playing a fine knock of 51 runs in 29 balls.
The three-time IPL winners put on a challenging score of 220 runs in their 20 overs. From MI, Shardul Thakur was the star of the show, as he picked up three wickets in his four overs, giving away just 39 runs. Skipper Hardik Pandya took a wicket as well.
Chasing a daunting target of 221, Rohit Sharma took charge upon himself, as he blasted KKR bowlers in the powerplay overs. The veteran batter put on a show as he completed his 48th IPL fifty, as he smashed 78 runs in just 38 balls, including six huge sixes. He was well supported by his opening partner Ryan Rickelton, who smashed 81 runs in 43 balls. The finishing touch was given by Suryakumar Yadav (16 off 8 balls), Tilak Varma (20 off 14 balls), and Hardik Pandya (18 off 11) to chase down the target easily.
Interestingly, MI opened their campaign with a win for the first time since IPL 2012, ending a 13-year season opener jinx.
Below are the funniest memes from MI vs KKR in Match No.2 of IPL 2026:
TAKE A BOW, Rohit Sharma 🫡
— 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩 (@kumarpradeep_in) March 29, 2026
78 (38) — 6 चौके, 6 छक्के, Wankhede Stadium में हिटमैन का धमाका। 🔥🏏 pic.twitter.com/k9xOjUMBXa
— Ankit Johar (@ankitjohar) March 29, 2026
Thalaivan 1st Match Fifty +200 SR la @ImRo45 🥳💥 #MumbaiIndians #MIvsKKR pic.twitter.com/FbwseBNbCu
— Dr.TNR 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣 ヅ♡ MI (@TNROfficial_) March 29, 2026
Front foot Six with no look midwicket six six at point Ya iam crying 😭 😭 @ImRo45 🙏🙏#MIvsKKR
pic.twitter.com/LEXh51dpYi— SPR SALAAR (@rebelodifan) March 29, 2026
Finally after a long yrs, a first win for MI in opening match pic.twitter.com/goHV2zuKMm
— Kashyap (@kbkthebolt) March 29, 2026
— Fifth Stump (@fifthstump) March 29, 2026
New era in the hands of Hardik Pandya 🔥
— Riki (@Riki_tweets) March 29, 2026
ROHIT SHARMA WALKING OUT AFTER THE D-E-S-T-R-U-C-T-I-O-N 💥❤️🔥❤️🔥#MIvsKKR #IPL2026 #OG pic.twitter.com/HHVHYJkkFM
— TheCricketCorner (@TheCricCorner) March 29, 2026
Ipl fans after witnessing Mumbai Indians winning 1st match:#MIvsKKR pic.twitter.com/oePoRGwotZ
— Tanishq Ganu (@smart__leaks) March 29, 2026
5varushathukku munnadi MI epdi ponano💙💥
— ★ 𝐌ᵃⁿ𝐈 ★❣︎ 𝐀𝐊 ❣︎💙😎 (@Thalamania47813) March 29, 2026
Apdiye thirumba vanthuttan sollu🔥 MI daaa💥💙🥶🐐#MIvsKKR pic.twitter.com/ca2SemgKFa
THE ROHIT SHARMA 2.0 IN THE IPL.
— Swetha™ (@SwethaLittle_) March 29, 2026
- 39 year old Rohit Sharma has smashed his fastest ever fifty in the IPL at 23 balls. 🤯🔥#MIvsKKRpic.twitter.com/XvXDvZDf8I
