Mumbai Indians pacer Ashwani Kumar is having a dream debut in the ongoing game against Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The match between the two teams is taking place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday (31st March).
Ashwani Kumar has wreaked havoc across the Kolkata Knight Riders bowling lineup in the ongoing IPL 2025 game. The left-arm pacer has looked unplayable as he produced some magnificent deliveries to surprise the defending champions.
Ashwani Kumar, who came into the attack in the fourth over, didn’t take long to make an impact as he picked wicket on the first ball and then didn’t look back. The left-arm then removed Rinku Singh but what was the highlight of his spell was the balls that he produced to remove Manish Pandey and Andre Russell.
On the last ball of the 11th over, Ashwani Kumar bowled a scrambled seam back of a length ball on leg-stump. Manish Pandey, who was on the strike, stayed rooted to the crease as he tried to keep it out but left a bat-pad gap. The ball went right through that and hit the top of the leg stump, leaving the batter stunned.
Here’s the video:
☝ Rahane
☝ Rinku
☝ PandeyIt’s debutant #AshwaniKumar‘s world & we’re just living in it! 🌍💙
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— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 31, 2025
In his next over, Ashwani Kumar came up with another magical delivery and this time it was against Andre Russell. The pacer bowled a length ball that kicked on and hit the top of off as Russell tried to swing across the line and missed the ball.
The ball went on to shatter the stumps as Kolkata Knight Riders ended up losing their 8th wicket. This was also 4th wicket for debutant Ashwani Kumar for Mumbai Indians.
Watch: Ashwani Kumar produces two absolute snorters to remove Manish Pandey and Andre Russell in MI vs KKR clash
Here’s the video:
— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) March 31, 2025
Ashwani Kumar picked four wickets on his debut
Ashwani Kumar picked four wickets on his debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Mumbai Indians. The left-hander pacer returned with the figures of 4/24, which was the best by an Indian player on debut in the league. Thanks to his heroics, Kolkata Knight Riders got all out for 116 runs.
The captain also played his role, Hardik bhai told me to bowl it into the wicket – Ashwani Kumar
While talking about his heroics with the ball, Ashwani Kumar revealed that he didn’t have lunch because he was under pressure. He also lauded Hardik Pandya for backing him and said that everyone back home would’ve watched him. He said:
“I didn’t have lunch today; I only ate a banana. There was some pressure, so I didn’t feel hungry. I made a bit of plan, they (team management) told me that it’s my debut match so enjoy yourself and back your skills.
“The captain also played his role, Hardik bhai told me to bowl it into the wicket. Everyone back in the village will be watching me play, I got my opportunity today and I’m very happy.”
Also Read: Watch: Trent Boult demolishes ‘bunny’ Sunil Narine’s stumps in MI vs KKR clash
