Rohit Sharma smashed a blistering 78 off 38 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede Stadium on March 29 and broke Virat Kohli’s long-standing record for most runs against a single opponent in IPL history.
With 1,161 runs against KKR, Rohit surpassed Kohli’s tally of 1,159 runs against Punjab Kings. On top of that, the Hitman also registered his 50th IPL half-century, joining an exclusive club alongside Kohli, David Warner, and Shikhar Dhawan.
What Record Did Rohit Sharma Break?
The record in question was for the most runs scored against any single franchise across all IPL seasons. Kohli held it with 1,159 runs against PBKS accumulated over 17 years. Rohit overtook that tally during his knock against KKR, reaching 1,161 runs across 36 matches against the three-time champions.
Here’s how the all-time list looks now:
- Rohit Sharma vs KKR: 1,161 runs
- Virat Kohli vs PBKS: 1,159 runs
- Virat Kohli vs CSK: 1,146 runs
- David Warner vs PBKS: 1,134 runs
- Virat Kohli vs DC: 1,130 runs
How Did Rohit’s Knock Shape MI’s Chase?
Mumbai Indians needed 221 to win after KKR posted 220/4, powered by Ajinkya Rahane’s 67 off 40 balls and debutant Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s explosive 51 off 29. Rinku Singh added a quickfire 33 at the death.
In the chase, Rohit and South African opener Ryan Rickelton (81 off 43, eight sixes) put together a record 148-run opening stand that ripped the game away from KKR. Rohit’s 23-ball fifty was his fastest ever in the IPL, beating his previous best of 25 balls. His knock featured 6 fours and 6 sixes before he fell for 78.
After their departures, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and captain Hardik Pandya ensured there were no hiccups. MI sealed the win by six wickets with five balls to spare.
Why Is This Win Historic for Mumbai Indians?
This was MI’s first opening-match victory in 14 years. The five-time champions had lost every season opener since 2012. Rohit’s knock broke that curse in emphatic fashion.
Additionally, the Hitman was playing his first competitive match since January (NZ ODI series). He hadn’t featured in the T20 World Cup 2026 and was used sparingly as an Impact Sub last IPL season. Yet he walked out at Wankhede looking fitter than ever, even fielding at long-on instead of staying inside the circle.
Former cricketer Ambati Rayudu noted that the breaks between assignments are keeping Rohit fresh, similar to how Kohli thrived with a reduced workload. Both veterans showed their class on IPL 2026’s opening weekend. Kohli hit 69* in the tournament opener, and Rohit answered with a record-breaking 78 the very next day.
