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Jasprit Bumrah and two key overseas players will miss the Mumbai Indians' IPL 2026 opener against Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday, March 28. The match will take place at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, starting at 7:30 PM IST, intensifying the stakes for the home team.
The absence of Bumrah, a crucial bowler, is a significant blow for MI. Team management expressed concerns about their bowling depth without him, which could impact their performance early in the tournament.
Match Details
Mumbai Indians face Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 2 of IPL 2026 on Saturday, March 28. The match will start at 7:30 PM IST, as MI looks to rebound from their previous season's struggles.
Team Composition and Key Players
MI's batting lineup will depend on Ishan Kishan, who captained the team in the previous match. Kolkata's Shreyas Iyer aims to take advantage of MI's weakened roster, looking to build on their recent performances that saw them finish strongly last season.
Head-to-Head Record
The teams have met 30 times in IPL history, with MI leading the rivalry with 17 wins. Their last encounter was in IPL 2025, where MI clinched a narrow victory by just 5 runs, showcasing the competitiveness of this matchup.
Impact and What Lies Ahead
The absence of key players may hinder MI's chances of a strong start, which is crucial for momentum in the tournament. KKR could capitalize on this opportunity to establish early dominance in IPL 2026, potentially setting the tone for both teams in the upcoming matches.
MI will look to regroup quickly, with their next match scheduled shortly after. The team hopes to find solutions for their bowling challenges ahead of the busy schedule in IPL 2026.
