Mumbai Indians’ left-arm pacer Ashwani Kumar made a sensational entry into the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a dream debut against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. The 23-year-old struck with his very first delivery, dismissing KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane in the fourth over, showcasing his talent on the big stage.
Hailing from the town of Jhanjeri, near Chandigarh, Kumar has previously represented Punjab across various formats of the game, including first-class, List A, and T20 cricket. With only four senior T20 matches under his belt prior to his IPL debut, along with two Ranji Trophy and four List A appearances, Kumar’s performance was nothing short of remarkable. He finished with impressive figures of 4 for 24 in 3 overs, becoming the first Indian to claim four wickets on an IPL debut.
Kumar’s breakthrough moment came thanks to a stunning catch by teammate Tilak Varma, who initially fumbled but recovered swiftly to complete a one-handed catch at deep backward point. This debut performance not only stunned the cricketing world but also added a new dimension to Mumbai Indians’ bowling attack.
Kumar’s dream debut has positioned him as a key player to watch in the ongoing IPL season. His ability to strike early and take crucial wickets could be pivotal for MI as they aim to defend their title. KKR, sent in to bat by MI skipper Hardik Pandya, were bowled out for 116 in 16.2 overs, with Kumar’s strikes setting the tone for MI’s dominant performance.
This was the first time in Kumar’s career that he picked up four wickets in a single match. His previous best figures in domestic cricket were 3/37 in List A and 1/19 in T20s, making his IPL debut performance even more significant. Kumar joins an elite list of MI bowlers, including Ali Murtaza, Alzarri Joseph, and Dewald Brevis, who have claimed a wicket with their first ball in the tournament.