The young seamer from Jhanjheri, Mohali, picked up 4/24 in his three-over spell, becoming the Player Of The Match.
Mumbai Indians left-arm seamer and debutant Ashwani Kumar is in the headlines for all the right reasons. He claimed four wickets in the debut match against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
It was his impressive bowling that the visitors were bowled out for just 116 runs in the first innings. The broadcasters had a conversation with the young pacer during the innings break. The 23-year-old bowler opened up about the team’s atmosphere and expressed his feelings about the support he received from everyone around him. He also disclosed that he was under “a little pressure” and, hence, skipped lunch before the evening game.
He said, “I was feeling really good. There was a little pressure earlier, but thanks to the atmosphere of the team, I didn’t feel any pressure. I didn’t have anything for lunch; I just had a banana. There was a little pressure. I wasn’t feeling hungry. But still, I played well, so it’s good,”
Ashwani was snapped up by MI for just INR 30 lakh at the mega auction. He displayed his innate talent and became only the second player in the league’s history to hit a wicket from his very first delivery. He was brought in for the 4th over of the first innings; struck straightaway off his first ball and dismissed KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane for just 11 runs.
Rinku Singh was caught at the deep point during his second over, and shortly after, Manish Pandey was bowled out three balls later. In the third over, Andre Russell was bowled by Ashwani for 5 runs, and 4 wickets were taken for 24 runs in three overs by him.
Meanwhile, the MI team management made easy game plans for Ashwani. Their prime instruction to him was to go out and enjoy his debut. “We had plans. But [Hardik Pandya, MI captain] said that since it’s your debut match, enjoy yourself. Just keep bowling the way you have been,” Ashwani said.
Captain Hardik Pandya credited his bowler’s outstanding debut to the thorough scouting network in Mumbai. “We thought Ashwani could come in on this pitch and bowl the way he bowled. It is all the scouts – they picked him,” said Pandya. Praising the bowler, he said, “First of all, the way he took that wicket of Russell, it was a very, very crucial wicket.” On his leaping catch at mid-off to account for KKR opener Quinton de Kock, he added, “I think that was terrific to see a fast bowler jumping that high.”
Mumbai Indians clinched their first win of IPL 2025
After losing two back-to-back matches against CSK and GT, Mumbai Indians secured their first victory of the season. Ryan Rickelton played the role of opener perfectly, striking a half-century while chasing a low target of 117. The host loses a few early wickets in the form of Rohit Sharma (13 off 12) and Will Jacks (16 off 17), but Suryakumar Yadav’s 27* off 9 helped the MI to clinch an easy victory against the defending champions.
Rickelton scored a swift unbeaten 62 runs from 41 balls, smashing four boundaries and five sixes. KKR’s bowling attack failed immensely as they managed to take only two wickets. Andre Russell took both wickets but was costly, giving away 35 runs in 2.5 overs. MI smoothly completed the run chase in just 12.5 overs, acquiring two valuable points.
