Nita Ambani Celebrates Mumbai Indians' Historic IPL Season Opener Victory

Nita Ambani, owner of Mumbai Indians, celebrated the team's remarkable victory in the IPL 2026 season opener against Kolkata Knight Riders. This win, their first since 2012, marked a significant milestone for the franchise. Ambani reflected on the team's evolution over the years and drew a parallel to Lord Rama's 14-year exile, emphasizing the personal significance of this victory. The match saw MI achieve their largest run chase in IPL history, with standout performances from Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton. KKR had set a challenging target, but MI's strong batting lineup prevailed, making this a memorable start to the season.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 30, 2026, 17:33 IST

Nita Ambani Celebrates 'Really Special' Win

Nita Ambani, the owner of Mumbai Indians (MI), expressed her joy over the team's remarkable victory in the IPL 2026 season opener, marking their first win since 2012. On Sunday, MI successfully chased down a challenging target of 221 runs to defeat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their inaugural match of the IPL 2026 season. This victory was particularly significant as it was the first time MI won their opening match in 14 years, with the last win occurring during the IPL 2012 season. In a video shared on social media by Mumbai Indians, Nita Ambani congratulated the team, emphasizing the personal significance of the win and reflecting on the transformation of the squad since their last opening victory in 2012, when Harbhajan Singh was captain and players like Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah were not yet part of the team.

A Personal Milestone

"Congratulations to everyone! This win feels very personal for me because the last time we triumphed, Rohit was not yet MI's captain, and Hardik and Bumrah had not made their debuts with us. Today, we are witnessing something truly special. Back in 2012, Harbhajan Singh led us as captain, and it has been a long wait since then," Nita Ambani remarked. She drew a parallel between the team's 14-year wait for an opening match victory and the 14-year exile of Lord Rama in Hindu mythology, stating, "In Hinduism, we say that Lord Rama's exile lasted 14 years! This was the Mumbai Indians' exile, and we have returned with a win!"

MI's Record-Breaking Chase

In the match, MI achieved a commanding six-wicket victory over KKR, marking their largest run chase in IPL history. The opening pair of Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma played pivotal roles in this success. Rohit scored 78 runs off 38 balls, while Rickelton contributed 81 runs off 41 balls, leading to a century partnership that dismantled the KKR bowling lineup. KKR's only wicket-takers were Kartik Tyagi (1/43 in 4 overs), Sunil Narine (1/30 in 3 overs), and Vaibhav Arora (1/52 in 4 overs).

KKR's Strong Performance

Earlier in the match, KKR showcased a solid batting display after being invited to bat first, setting a challenging total of 220/4. Captain Ajinkya Rahane led the charge with a brilliant half-century, scoring 67 runs off 40 balls, which included three fours and five sixes. Angkrish Raghuvanshi also made a significant contribution with 51 runs off 29 balls, featuring six fours and two sixes. Additional support came from Finn Allen, who scored 37 runs off 17 balls, and Rinku Singh, who remained unbeaten with 33 runs off 21 balls. Despite a three-wicket haul from speedster Shardul Thakur, KKR's efforts resulted in a formidable target.