IPL Pulse: Runs everywhere, Green nowhere

1. MI vs KKR headed MI's way for the 25th time in 36 matches.
2. MI finally won a season opener, ending a 13-match streak dating back to 2012.
3. Rahane and Raghuvanshi's fifties took KKR to 220/4, but Rohit and Rickelton replied with 148/0 in under 12 overs, hitting 14 sixes between them.
4. Kartik Tyagi impressed but went for runs; Vaibhav, Muzarabani, Varun, and Narine were expensive as KKR never looked like defending the total.
5. Shardul Thakur, in MI colours, showed his skill at Wankhede with slower change-ups and hard lengths, taking the first three wickets to fall.

KKR used six bowlers. None were Cam Green.

"Ask Cricket Australia," Rahane said, smiling. Cricket Australia later revealed Green is managing a "lower back issue" and is likely to be ready to bowl in "10-12 days."

The accidental-foresight award goes to Cam Green's manager, who had apparently "stuffed up" by listing him as a specialist batter ahead of the auction.

The mere-mortals award goes to Virat and Rohit for dropping a catch each on otherwise blockbuster nights.

The very-timely-diagnosis award goes to Cricket Australia, for finding niggles to allow rest for their quicks ahead of a hectic international season.

The less-is-more award goes to Mukesh Ambani, who skipped the MI merchandise for a basic blue round-neck tee.

Anukul Roy's fielding stood out: a sharp sliding catch to dismiss Rohit and break the opening stand, followed by a direct hit to run out Rickelton.

Shardul Thakur was over the moon about playing for MI after years as a net bowler. He doesn't mind the "Lord" memes, seeing them as a sign of love. Hardik Pandya has expressed wanting him around "for the rest of your career."

Rohit, 38 years old, smashed a fifty off 23 balls, his quickest in IPL. Nita Ambani's comment that he "looks like a young boy" seemed on point.

What's the latest gossip?

Whispers about SKY and Hardik led to speculation on why a World Cup-winning captain and elite fielder was an Impact Player. Mahela Jayawardene cited a "tight groin" and urged everyone not to "create unwanted stories."

RR faces a side playing without Dhoni or Raina for the first time ever. Jadeja will feature, but not for CSK. Samson will feature, but not for RR.

Reckless prediction for tonight's match

Samson and Jadeja share the Player of the Match award and swap jerseys, making it all very awkward.