Mumbai Indians have raised a few eyebrows after naming Suryakumar Yadav in the Impact Sub list for their IPL 2026 opener against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium. Head coach Mahela Jayawardene later clarified that the decision was precautionary due to minor fitness concerns.
Despite being India’s captain in the T20 World Cup, Suryakumar did not feature in the starting eleven, with captain Hardik Pandya opting to use him as an Impact Player. Reacting to the decision after the match, Jayawardene dismissed any speculation and explained that the decision was purely based on the non-aggravation of the groin problem that Suryakumar had been dealing with before the match.
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MI vs KKR, IPL 2026: UPDATE | SCORECARD
“I hope we’re not creating unwanted stories. The camp is very happy, everyone is happy. Sky came and joined us after taking a couple of extra days that he wanted. He had a little strain in his groin and he was practicing in the field and everything, but I knew I had another five days from this game to the second game. I just want to give him a little extra time,” he said that at the end he was even excited, no, Jasay, okay, but I wanted to go for three. he said.
“It’s just that I’ve got to take action. They’re very valuable players for me to have throughout the season. So these are calculated decisions made by me and the management. So there’s nothing behind it.”
Suryakumar finally came in as an Impact Sub during the chase and made a quick 16 off 8 balls before being dismissed, as MI comfortably chased down the target of 221 runs.
HOW THEIR IPL FIRST MATCH JINX BROKE ME
Chasing down a daunting 221, MI produced a clinical batting display to script a memorable victory.
Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton laid the foundations with 148 runs off just 72 balls, shifting the momentum firmly in MI’s favour. Rohit anchored the innings while Rickelton played a stunning knock of 81 off 43 balls.
With the platform set, the rest of the launch unit ensured there were no hiccups. Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma chipped in as MI chased down the target in 19.1 overs.
The win was important for several reasons. MI have never chased down a target of 220+ in their history before and have not won their opening match of an IPL season since 2012.
On March 29, they ticked both boxes in emphatic fashion, registering a six-wicket win over KKR to start their IPL 2026 campaign on a high.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
March 30, 2026 07:36 IST
