Shardul Thakur delivered a match-winning spell (3-39 in 4 overs) on his Mumbai Indians (MI) debut, guiding them to a six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their opening match of the IPL 2026 season at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday (March 29).
The all-rounder was named Player-of-the-Match for taking the crucial wickets of Finn Allen, Cameron Green and Ajinkya Rahane, which restricted KKR to 220/4.
In reply, Ryan Rickelton smashed 81 off 43, while Rohit Sharma hit 78 off 38 as MI overhauled the target with five deliveries to spare.
After the win, skipper Hardik Pandya heaped praise on Shardul, urging him to stop "franchise hopping" and stay with MI long-term.
“I told him this season, I said, 'enough hopping of the franchises. I want you to be here for the rest of your career.' He's a character. He has a big heart. The way he comes out and kind of always tries to outsmart a batter, simply brilliant and really happy for him,” Hardik said at the post-match presentation.
This was a significant victory for the five-time champions, marking their first opening match win since 2012, ending a 13-year drought in IPL season openers.
“Obviously, it's been a long waiting. 13 years are a very long time. And, you know, every time we have come, we have wanted to win and start the season with a high. Very glad, the whole group is very glad that we were finally able to do it,” the captain added.
Hardik Pandya commended his bowling unit for restricting KKR to 220, making it a "gettable" chase at the Wankhede Stadium, while highlighting the top-order batting performances of Rohit and Rickelton.
“Yes, I feel the modern cricket, plus at the same point of time, we have seen what this wicket plays like. The kind of powerplay they had, we knew that the wicket is good. So as a bowling group, a lot of credit to the bowlers. They pulled it really back, not letting them fly with 250s, 240s, because I feel in T20 cricket, those are difficult to chase. But 220 is always gettable if you have a good start. And I think the top two batters, Ro and Rickelton were outstanding. The way Ro played some outstanding shots. And at the same point of time, Rickelton was brilliant. And to see that, very nice,” Hardik stated.
He reserved special praise for Rohit, who hammered 6 fours and as many sixes in his whirlwind knock.
“It's a treat. I've seen batters play some terrific shots. But whenever I've seen Ro play some shots, I think it opens everyone's mouth. So, nothing short of exceptional, nothing short of brilliant. And I'm so, so happy that Rohit played his knock.”
Hardik also explained the team's decision to start Rickelton as an opener alongside Rohit, leaving the experienced Quinton de Kock on the bench.
“Ryan has done really well for this franchise. Even last year, he's been fantastic. Quinny is a top man, he understood, he knew we are backing the player with the continuity and at the same point of time, so well he did. So, yes, very glad that it paid off right,” he remarked.
