MUMBAI: Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma slammed quickfire fifties to hand Mumbai Indians a comfortable six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday. This was MI’s first opening round win after 13 seasons.
The last time Mumbai had won their opening game was in 2012 against Chennai Super Kings.
Chasing 221, Rickelton (81 off 43 balls) and Rohit (78 off 38 balls) shared a breezy 148-run opening stand off just 71 balls to set the platform for the win which MI achieved in 19.1 overs, reaching 224 for four. It was also a record chase by MI at home ground.
While Rickelton hit four boundaries and eight sixes, Rohit knock was laced with six fours and as many maximums.
Earlier, KKR posted 220 for 4 after half-centuries from captain Ajinkya Rahane (67) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (51).
Rahane scored 67 off 40 balls, with five sixes and three fours.
Raghuvanshi started slowly but picked up towards the end. Further, he was dismissed by Hardik Pandya in the 19th over for 51 off 29 balls, including six fours and two sixes.
