Mumbai Indians have had the fortune of explosive openers over the years but with a few exceptions. These have also contributed to the excellent starts and records referred to as such in the IPL. Another pair added to this great list who recently gave us a display came in the Rajasthan Royals beat by MI pair. Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton created the best opening partnerships in MI history. Here are the top 5 highest opening partnerships for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL:
1. Dwayne Smith and Sachin Tendulkar: 163* vs RR, Jaipur, 2012
That remains a record. It was in the city of Jaipur when the Mumbai Indians, reliant on Sachin Tendulkar and Dwayne Smith, champeoned the 162 ball total with ease. Smith scored an unbeaten 87 runs in 58 balls, while Tendulkar rated their innings with 58 runs out of 51. They plucked smart risks with the likes of Shane Watson and Shaun Tait and made MI rejoice in a ten-wicket victory.
2. Sanath Jayasuriya and Sachin Tendulkar: 127 vs KKR, Gqeberha, 2009
Nostalgia buffs, this is for you. MI legends Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya decimated KKR in the IPL held in South Africa in 2009. Apart from Jayasuriya, who scored 52 runs off 32 balls, Tendulkar also contributed a commendable performance of 68 off his 45 deliveries. Their partnership added a total of 127 runs, as MI built a total of 187/6 to which KKR could muster merely 95 runs.
3. Michael Hussey and Lendl Simmons: 120 versus RR, Ahmedabad, 2014.
-the year 2014 witnessed the annihilation of Rajasthan Royals by this duo, Lendl Simmons and Michael Hussey, through their 120 partnerships with great skill as well as aggression. Simmons scored 62 runs in 51 balls while Hussey added 56 in 39 balls. MI completed their innings with 178/3 and then, in defense, easily won the game by 25 runs.
4. Quinton de Kock and Ishan Kishan: 116* vs CSK, Sharjah, 2020.
A smooth chase against Chennai Super Kings was embarked upon by the Mumbai Indians in the 2020 season. With only 115 set, their effort was led by Ishan Kishan, going unbeaten on 68 from 33, and Quinton de Kock, who strolled in with a steady 46*. The pair easily brushed aside CSK’s bowling attack, making the final score of 116 without the loss of a wicket.
5. Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton: 116 vs RR, Jaipur, 2025.
This latest gem in the collection attracted during an important match of the Mumbai Indians in Jaipur. Both opened the batting right from the first ball, Rickelton, with his ferocious beating of the bowlers, settled for a more subdued tempo before accelerating in the middle phase. By the halfway mark of the innings, MI was creeping toward the 100-mark. Pure hitting along with intelligent shot placement led their partnership to result in scores of 61 off 38 for Rickelton and 50 for the Rohit. They set up MI for a phenomenal total of 217/2 which shocked the Rajasthan Royals.
