Mumbai Indians Ashwani Kumar had a dream debut for the franchise when he snapped up 4 wickets in his first-ever Indian Premier League match against the Kolkata Knight Riders, becoming the only Indian player to do so. The left arm seamer, who was snapped up by MI for just 50 lakhs in the IPL 2025 mega auction, showed his talent when he also became only the second player in the league’s history to snap up a wicket from his very first delivery.
Kumar who was bought in for the 4th over of the match struck straightaway off his first ball when he took out KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane for just 11 runs. He would continue with his fine form, snapping up both Rinku Singh and Manish Pandey in the same over. He sent back Andre Russell for his fourth, setting the record in the process with figures of 4/22.
“I felt very good, there was pressure but the team environment helped me to settle down. 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,” the 23-year-old said in the post-innings chat.
Aside from Kumar, Deepak Chahar scalped two wickets for 19 runs to help restrict KKR, who were bowled out in 16.2 overs for just 116 runs. Angkrish Raghuvanshi top-scored for KKR with 26 off 16 balls.