Playing for Mumbai Indians, left -handed fast bowler Ashwini Kumar made his IPL debut on Monday, in which he made history with 4 wickets. He dismissed Ajinkya Rahane on the first ball of his first over. After this, he took a total of 4 wickets in his 3 overs spell. He has become the most wicket -taking Indian bowler in IPL debut match. Hardik Pandya praised him after the match, while he almost forgot his name during the toss.
Kolkata Knight Riders collapsed for 116 runs due to the record spell of Ashwini Kumar, who came from Jhunjri of Mohali. In response, Mumbai Indians won the target in the 13th over and registered a big win by 8 wickets. After the match, Ashwini told that it was a big thing for her to get a chance today. Ashwini was voted the best player of the match.
After the match, Ashwini said, “It is a big thing for me that I got this opportunity and I am getting this award. I never thought about it, just completed my process and I am very happy to get this award. I am very happy to get this award. I am from Jhunjari of Mohali district, coming from there, it is the result of my hard work and I am here by the grace of God. I was here, but I was a little hell, but I was a little bitter, thinking what will happen.”
After Ajinkya Rahane, the fast bowler dismissed Rinku Singh, Manish Pandey and Andre Russell. He bowled Pandey and Russell. He told that Captain Hardik Pandya had told about Russell that he should be short and ball on his body.
Mumbai Indians bought Ashwini Kumar for Rs 30 lakh in the auction. Hardik Pandya gave credit to the scout team of Mumbai Indians after the match to find him. Ashwini Kumar had told after the first innings that he was feeling a little nervous before the match. He did not have lunch and only ate banana.
Instagram Story of Mumbai Indians Captain Hardik Pandya for Ashwani Kumar 💙 pic.twitter.com/bxcql3hxe0
– Johns. (@Criccrazyjohns) March 31, 2025
Hardik Pandya forgot Ashwini’s name
Hardik Pandya had almost forgotten the name of Ashwini Kumar during the toss before the match started. After the end of the match, he shared a photo of Ashwini and wrote ‘Outstanding’ for him on Instagram.
– Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45Kennyat7PM) March 31, 2025
Hardik Pandya gave credit to scout team
Hardik Pandya said after the match, “We thought that Ashwini Kumar (on this pitch) can do the way he is bowling. It is all scouts work, they chose it. They went to all places and chose these young players. We played a practice match, in which they impressed. He played late swing, some of the wickets, some of the wickets, we supported him. He took the wicket of it was a very important wicket, and the way he caught De Kock, it was fantastic to see.
Ashwini Kumar has become the first Indian and sixth player to take the most wickets in IPL debut match. Aljari Joseph (6/12), Andrew Tie (5/17), Shoaib Akhtar (4/11) are also included in this list.