India, March 30 -- Call it freak, happenstance. However, Mumbai Indians' record of losing the tournament opener for 13 editions had become a major irritant. The five-time winners finally got the monkey off their back with an emphatic win against Kolkata Knight Riders, chasing down 221 in 19.1 overs with six wickets in hand on home turf at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

It was a big show of faith from MI to keep Ryan Rickelton in the line-up ahead of the returning legend and fellow South African Quinton de Kock. It showed in Rickelton's emphatic cuts and pulls, his confidence sky high. He played his part in MI's counter-attacking in the Powerplay. While KKR were 78/1 after the first six, the hosts went better-80/0. The charge was led by ...