Mumbai Indians’ rookie pacer Ashwani Kumar etched his name in IPL history on Monday, April 1, 2025, becoming the first Indian to claim four wickets on debut.
The 23-year-old from Jhanjheri, Punjab, achieved an impressive bowling performance, taking 4 wickets for 24 runs in just three overs against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). This effort contributed to a convincing eight-wicket victory for the Mumbai Indians (MI).
Despite having played only four senior T20 matches, Ashwani’s performance, combined with Ryan Rickelton’s unbeaten score of 62, led to KKR collapsing to a season-low total of 116 runs in 16.2 overs.
Ashwani Kumar’s 4/24 debut makes IPL history for MI vs KKR! seals an 8-wicket win. #AshwaniKumar #IPLDebut #MIvsKKR #IPL2025 #ifkgbg #IPLUpdate #KKR #MumbaiIndians #Mumbaihttps://t.co/YZoIIaDBHC
— Photo News (@PhotoNewsPk) April 1, 2025Ashwani tore through KKR’s lineup, dismissing Ajinkya Rahane (11), Rinku Singh (17), Manish Pandey (17), and Andre Russell (5). Deepak Chahar (2/19), Trent Boult (1/23), and Hardik Pandya (1/10) chipped in, ensuring MI’s seamers dominated. KKR’s powerplay imploded at 41/4, with Boult nabbing Sunil Narine (0) and Chahar ousting Quinton de Kock (1). Ashwani’s first scalp—Rahane—came off his opening ball, caught brilliantly by Tilak Varma.
Storming into a special list 🌪
Ashwani Kumar grabbed his opportunity and has made a name in #TATAIPL 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/5AigDeKESg
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 31, 2025Chasing 117, MI lost Rohit Sharma (13) early, but Rickelton’s 62* off 41 balls (4x4s, 5x6s) turned the tide. The South African’s maiden IPL fifty, paired with Suryakumar Yadav’s rapid 27* off 9 balls, wrapped up the win with 7.1 overs left MI’s first of the season. Rickelton weathered KKR’s pace attack before unleashing a boundary barrage, while Yadav’s six clinched it in style.
Read: Ashwani Kumar’s 4-Wicket IPL Debut Sets Mumbai Indians Ablaze
Ashwani’s rise from humble beginnings to IPL stardom shocked a star-studded KKR team. His precise skills and MI’s teamwork indicate a breakout talent and a pivotal moment for the five-time champions.
