Mumbai Indians left-arm pacer with his speed and accuracy shattered KKR’s batting line-up, restricting them to just 116 runs. MI’s pace attack broke the back of the defending champions !
For the second time in IPL 2025, Mumbai Indians talent scouting caught everyone’s attention. First, leg-spinner Vignesh Puthur made a splash in Chennai and now left-arm pacer Ashwani Kumar did wonders in his debut match at Wankhede. The magic of MI’s scouting network was once again visible!
Despite playing in the Ranji Trophy (2022), Vijay Hazare Trophy (2022) and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (2024) for Punjab, Ashwani Kumar has never taken more than 3 wickets in a single format. He gave the best performance of his career in IPL 2025.
On Monday, Ashwani gave a dhamakedar performance in his very first match and stunned the big players of IPL by taking four brilliant wickets. His deadly bowling was an important part of the pace attack of Mumbai Indians, which reduced Kolkata Knight Riders to just 116 runs. This amazing spell not only became the turning point of the match but was also a memorable moment for the fans!
23 year old Ashwani was earlier considered as a backup pacer in Punjab, but MI scouts recognised his precision from his killer wide yorkers in the Sher-e-Punjab Trophy.MI quietly grabbed him in the IPL auction in Jeddah, though this was often not noticed. A single ball against KKR made Ashwani into instant headlines and a new star in the cricket world – an unforgettable moment!
When Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar sent KKR’s openers to the pavilion in their very first overs, all the hopes were pinned on captain Ajinkya Rahane. But Ashwani showed his talent on his very first ball, he bowled a wide off-stump which Rahane sliced and Tilak Verma caught the top-edge in two attempts. This first wicket proved to be a game-changer for Ashwani, in which he surprised everyone with his bowling. As batsmen got out one after the other, KKR’s problems increased and the match reached a new mode!
Coming back to bowl in the 11th over, Ashwani dashed KKR’s hopes with his brilliant bowling. First he got Rinku Singh caught by Nanam Dhir’s hands at deep point, then with a brilliant delivery he got Manish Pandey bowled by hitting him off his pads. KKR fans hopes were dashed and the match started to look one way!
But Ashwani was not going to stop here! In the very next over he made his debut memorable by clean bowled KKR’s power hitter Andre Russell with a powerful full delivery.
Also Read : ECB to Retire Iconic Pataudi Trophy Soon!