Hardik Pandya Hails Rohit Sharma After MI End Opening Match Jinx

Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya expressed delight after ending a 13-year drought in IPL season-openers with a six-wicket win over KKR. Chasing 221, MI rode on Rohit Sharma’s sublime 78 and Ryan Rickelton’s 81, stitching a 148-run opening stand to seal victory.

Pandya praised Rohit’s brilliance, calling his knock “outstanding” and admired how he makes batting look effortless. He also credited the bowlers for restricting KKR to 220, saying anything above 240 would have been tough. Pandya noted that big chases are now common in T20 cricket due to batting-friendly conditions.

He lauded Rickelton’s consistency and team continuity, highlighting a confident start to MI’s IPL 2026 campaign.