Mumbai Indians 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 a minor fitness concern.
Despite being India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain, Suryakumar did not feature in the starting XI, with captain Hardik Pandya opting to use him as an Impact Player. Addressing the decision after the match, Jayawardene dismissed any speculation and explained how the decision was purely based on not worsening a groin issue Suryakumar had compaiined about ahead of the match.
“I hope we don’t create unwanted stories. The camp is very happy, everyone’s happy. Sky came and joined us after taking a couple of extra days he wanted. He had a little tight groin, and he was doing fielding and all that, but I knew I had another five days from this game to the other game. I just want to give him that extra bit of time. He was even keen at the end to go for three, four overs, but I said no, it’s fine,” Jayawardene said.
“It’s just that I have to take precautions. These are very valuable players for me to have them going throughout the season. So these are calculated decisions that I make and the management make. So there’s nothing beyond that.”
Suryakumar eventually came in as an Impact Sub during the chase and made a quick 16 off 8 balls before being dismissed, as MI comfortably hunted down the 221-run target.
HOW MI BROKE THEIR IPL FIRST MATCH JINX
Chasing a daunting 221, MI produced a clinical batting display to script a memorable win.
Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton laid the foundation with a 148-run stand 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 batting 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 significant for multiple reasons. MI had never chased a 220-plus target in their history prior to this, and they had 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 begin their IPL 2026 campaign on a high.
