Finn Allen & Ajinkya Rahane (Source: AP Photos)
Riding on the sensational opening partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Finn Allen, KKR attained a historic feat against Mumbai Indians in the second IPL 2026 fixture at the Wankhede Stadium.
Led by Rahane, KKR kicked off their IPL campaign against MI in the second group-stage match of the tournament.
After winning the toss, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya invited the Knight Riders to bat first on a seaming deck. However, the KKR opening duo of Finn Allen and Ajinkya Rahane helped the tourists get off to a flying start, maximising the powerplay field restrictions.
As a result, the Knight Riders scripted history, achieving a phenomenal milestone in their IPL season opener.
Finn Allen-Ajinkya Rahane torment Mumbai Indians bowling attack
At toss, captains from both teams acknowledged that it would be safe to bowl first, with the Wankhede Stadium's pitch having a decent grass covering. After negotiating the first two overs, the KKR openers swiftly shifted gears, putting the MI bowlers under the pump.
Hardik Pandya's debatable decision to use Trent Boult for a solitary over and bring Allah Ghazanfar early into the attack worked wonders for the Knight Riders.
Allen hammered the Afghanistan spinner for two sixes and a boundary, as KKR got the much-needed momentum from his over. Rahane also played some scintillating shots at the other end, showcasing red-hot form in KKR's season opener.
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Although Shardul Thakur eventually drew the first blood for MI and dismissed Allen, the Knight Riders' opening pair had ensured enough damage by then.
KKR post highest powerplay score Vs MI in IPL
Thus, the batting onslaught from Finn Allen and Ajinkya Rahane led KKR to their best-ever powerplay score against Mumbai Indians in the IPL history. Here are the Knight Riders' highest powerplay scores against MI in the tournament.
- 78/1, Mumbai (Wankhede), 2026, Tonight*
- 64/1, Mumbai (DY Patil), 2022
- 63/1, Abu Dhabi, 2021
As mentioned above, 78 for 1 is the Knight Riders' highest score in the first six-over phase against Mumbai Indians. Before today's clash, the Kolkata based-franchise had 64/1 as their best score in the powerplay in matches against MI.
Overall, KKR's 78/1 is the fourth-best powerplay score against MI in IPL history. Delhi Capitals claim the first position on the list, having hammered 92 runs in the first six overs in the 2024 season.
Ajinkya Rahane half-century sets foundation for a mammoth score for KKR
After getting rid of Finn Allen, Kolkata lost their most expensive IPL 2026 auction pick, Cameron Green. Shardul Thakur emerged as the hero for MI, dismissing both these batters in quick succession.
However, captain Ajinkya Rahane was unfazed by the departures of Allen and Green. Being a Mumbai player, Rahane took advantage of home conditions at the Wankhede Stadium, cruising to a blazing half-century.
His sensational fifty powered KKR to one of their fastest team hundreds, as they breached the three-figure mark in just 7.5 overs. As of writing, the Knight Riders were 137 for two, with Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi batting on 67* and 11*, respectively.
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