Mumbai Indians. Image Credits: AFP
The joint-most successful team in the league, the Mumbai Indians, is set to start their IPL 2026 campaign against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday night. They have a unique task cut out for them, as they will look to win their first match of the season for the first time in 14 years.
The last time they won their season opener was in 2012. However, despite this record, they have managed to lift five IPL titles, alongside two Champions League T20 trophies to assert their dominance in T20 cricket. As they take on the three-time IPL winners, KKR, on Sunday at home, they will also reach a special feat as the franchise team with the most T20 games.
Mumbai Indians achieve a special feat in their IPL 2026 opener
Since their inception in 2008, the Mumbai Indians have regularly featured in the playoff stages of the IPL and CLT20 following the 14 league matches. Thanks to the formidable group of players they have, they are among the most recognised franchise teams in the world.
As they enter their 19th season, their season opener against KKR marks their 300th T20 match. This makes them the first-ever franchise in the world to play 300 matches. Additionally, they are only behind Pakistan and Somerset, who have played 303 matches each so far as the teams with the most T20s.
So far, in the 299 matches played, they have won 162, lost 131, tied four times, and only two have ended with no results. Ahead of IPL 2026, MI have played 277 IPL matches, winning 151 and losing 122 games. All four of their ties have come in the IPL.
By the end of IPL 2026, MI will leapfrog Pakistan and Somerset to become the team with the most T20 matches played.
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T20 Franchises with the most T20 matches
Following MI's 299 matches in 18 seasons are several other IPL teams in the list, including the defending champions, RCB, KKR and CSK, among others. The Royal Challengers will also go past the 300 T20 mark in the ongoing season of the IPL
1. Mumbai Indians - 299
2. Royal Challengers Bengaluru - 287
3. Kolkata Knight Riders - 281
4. Chennai Super Kings - 277
5. Delhi Capitals - 274
Mumbai Indians eye record IPL titles
Alongside becoming the first-ever franchise team to play 300 T20 games, MI also has a commendable win-loss record. Among the IPL sides, their 54.18 win per cent record is only second to the Chennai Super Kings' 56.67 per cent wins.
Currently, both the arch-rivals, the Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings, are level with five IPL trophies and two CLT20 trophies each. As they move into their 19th season, they will eye their record sixth IPL, having last lifted the trophy back in 2020.
They will head into the season under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, with quality all over the lineup, from Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav in the batting department to Jasprit Bumrah leading the bowlers. Ahead of IPL 2026, they are among the favourites to lift another IPL trophy.
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