Oh, the Paltan missed you at the Wankhede, Quinny!

Oh, the Paltan missed you at the Wankhede, Quinny!

By Mumbai Indians

There is always something special about a familiar face in Blue and Gold threads. It brings comfort, belief and a sense of happiness flooded with good old memories. What a homecoming it was for our very own Quinton de Kock who walked out in the middle to open the innings for Mumbai Indians versus Punjab Kings on 16th April 2026. As he took guard at our fortress once again, it just felt like a continuation. He slammed 112 not out in 60 balls which included eight boundaries and seven maximums with a SR-186.67. His first century for the Mumbai Indians.

Being part of the MI setup and championship winning sides of IPL in 2019 and the 2020 season, Paltan wondered what version of QDK would be seen this time around. The answer came very quickly indeed. The same fearless batter… unafraid to smash big hits right from the word go. Taking charge and controlling the game when it mattered the most. With the first two wickets falling early on, Quinny did not panic, in fact he took the attack back to the opposition. 💪

Fortune favours the brave; fans witnessed a special knock from him. Quinny smashed the second century of IPL 2026. Each shot carried intent and at every stage he was one step ahead of the bowler’s plan. There was something poetic about the way our talented opener constructed his innings. Yes, five years may have passed, but nothing changed…his style, temperament, and positive approach. All intact.

His knock was the backbone of MI reaching 195 in their 20 overs. The start helped us get the momentum going. He ensured the scoreboard kept ticking with runs. 👏 He absorbed pressure, dismantled the Punjab bowling attack who had no answers at all. He built an innings that had purpose from the first delivery till the twentieth over. 

Cover drives, pull shots and monster hits that sailed out of the park. He was the set batter, who became unstoppable and stayed unbeaten till the very end, true trait of a champion cricketer. En route he also stitched a 122 runs partnership with Naman Dhir. This innings of Quinny felt like the spark had been ignited. Quinton de Kock did not just wear the Mumbai Indians badge again; he made it shine brighter! 💙