Mumbai Indians End 13-Year Home Losing Streak in IPL Season Opener Against KKR

Mumbai. The Mumbai Indians have broken a 13-year-old poor streak at their home ground, Wankhede Stadium. Mumbai, which had failed to win its first match of the IPL season since 2013, made a successful start by defeating the Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday night.

Aided by magnificent half-centuries from Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton, Mumbai successfully chased a massive target of 221 runs, which is also the most successful run chase in Mumbai's IPL history. Although Kolkata set a big score with half-centuries from Ajinkya Rahane and A. Raghuvanshi while batting first, their bowlers could not defend it.

The fact that expensive player Cameron Green, whom Kolkata bought for 25.20 crore INR at the auction, did not bowl in the match has been analyzed as one of the reasons for the defeat. In the post-match presentation, Kolkata captain Rahane surprised many by responding to a question about Green's bowling by saying, 'Ask Cricket Australia for the answer to this.'

It is speculated that Green might have been permitted only for batting by the Australian cricket board as he is just returning from an injury. Green has bowled only 7.1 overs in the last eight matches, and he has not been seen bowling in the IPL practice sessions either.

Captain Rahane expressed confidence that the team's bowling combination will be balanced only after Green starts bowling.