Mumbai, March 29 (NationPress) Captain Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi each hit half-centuries, guiding Kolkata Knight Riders to a total of 220/4 in their 20 overs during a fluctuating innings against Mumbai Indians in the opening match of IPL 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

Opting to bat first, Rahane ignited the KKR innings with a rapid 67 runs off 40 balls, while Raghuvanshi rounded off the innings with a quick-fire 51 from 28 balls after a brief recovery from a three-wicket haul by Shardul Thakur (3-39).

A crucial 60-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Raghuvanshi and Rinku Singh (33* off 21 balls) proved instrumental in KKR's recovery as they aimed for a competitive score.

After a subdued start, the KKR openers, Rahane and Finn Allen, shifted gears, amassing 54 runs in just 18 balls, reaching their first fifty in a mere 23 balls.

The onslaught began when Hardik Pandya introduced Afghan spinner AM Ghazanfar, who was dispatched for 17 runs in his first over, with Allen striking two sixes and a four.

The situation worsened for MI as Rahane hit back-to-back sixes off Pandya, contributing to a massive 26 runs in that over, propelling KKR to fifty in just 23 balls.

Shardul Thakur, playing in his hometown, broke the partnership in the sixth over, dismissing Allen (37, 17b, 6x4, 2x6) with a slower delivery caught at long-on, as KKR finished the Powerplay at 78/1. The opening pair had built a solid foundation with a 69-run partnership.

In a surprising turn, Cameron Green, the most expensive overseas player in IPL history, was dismissed for 18 runs after just 10 balls as Thakur's delivery caught him off guard, leading to a catch in the deep.

Rahane continued to shine, reaching his fifty in just 27 balls with four sixes and three fours. However, the loss of two wickets hindered his efforts to form another partnership with Raghuvanshi, who later fell as well.

Thakur claimed his third wicket, getting Rahane caught at cover after an inside-out shot on a cross-seam delivery.

KKR's momentum dipped momentarily, but Raghuvanshi quickly revived it, hitting Ghazanfar for a four and then a six, before striking another six off Thakur in the 17th over. Their partnership added vital runs, with Raghuvanshi reaching his fifty off 28 balls and helping KKR cross the 200-run mark.

Summary of performances:

Kolkata Knight Riders: 220/4 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 67, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 51, Finn Allen 37, Rinku Singh 33 not out; Shardul Thakur 3-39) against Mumbai Indians.