As part of MI’s 177 run total against Delhi Capitals, Ishan Kishan scored 81 unbeaten runs off 48 deliveries, including 11 fours and two sixes. Despite having four wickets in hand, the Delhi Capitsls couldn’t chase down the target.

Nevertheless, Kishan joins a unique list of Mumbai Indians’ cricket that also includes Sachin Tendulkar. It is the third time in the IPL that Kishan has scored three consecutive half-centuries; he scored two fifties last season – 50* versus RR and 84 against SRH – and has carried on that form with a fifty in his first game this season. Sachin Tendulkar (2010) and Quinton de Kock (2020) were the last MI players to score three consecutive half-centuries. In addition, Kishan also shares another rare record with Yuvraj Singh. Having been the most expensive player at the auction before that, Kishan became only the second player ever to score a fifty in his first IPL game. Mumbai bought him for 15.25 crore, making him the most expensive player in the mega-auction this year. With a fifty to his credit, he proved his worth.

RCB bought Yuvraj Singh for 14 crores at the 2014 IPL auction, and Yuvraj scored 52 off 29 balls against Delhi in his first game. Kishan’s fifty came to naught in the game. Delhi was reduced to 104/6 in the chase of 178 and the game seemed to be MI’s to lose. With an unbeaten stand of 75 runs from 30 balls, Axar Patel helped Mumbai clinch victory. In the earlier match, Kuldeep Yadav took three wickets to restrict MI to a par total on a good batting surface. For his figures of 3/18, Kuldeep was named Player of the Match.