Mumbai Indians made the worst possible start to the defence of their IPL crown as they suffered a 41-run loss to a Jacques Kallis inspired Kolkata Knight Riders. 

A fortnight of IPL action began in front of an exuberant Sheikh Zayed Stadium crowd in Abu Dhabi, who saw a listless KKR innings come to life with a 131-run partnership from the South African veteran and Manish Pandey.

Their work provided the platform for Trevor Bayliss' side to strike 73 from the last six overs to reach a respectable 163-5.

Mumbai lost their opening fixture last season, and an underwhelming start in which new arrival Michael Hussey went cheaply made a repeat possible.

Captain Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard were then unable to accelerate the run rate, as Mumbai finished on a lowly 122-7 in this Twenty20 meeting.

This game had seemed like a mismatch, as the title winners faced a franchise who finished a distant seventh last term. KKR had been defending champions then.

As Mumbai coach John Wright watched CM Gautam stumped with the final ball, he must have hoped his side are not set for the same fate.