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In the 12th IPL 2025 match, youthful debutant Ashwani Kumar helped the Mumbai Indians (MI) bowl out the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for just 116 runs. With four wickets against the reigning champions, the 23-year-old left-arm bowler had an incredible day and set a new IPL record for the most wickets taken by an Indian.
To bolster their speed assault, the Mumbai Indians added him to the squad in place of Satyanarayana Raju. The KKR captain was caught by Tilak Varma at backward point after Ashwani dismissed Ajinkya Rahane on the opening ball of his IPL debut, making him the first player to fall into the bowler’s trap.
To record digures of 4/24, he proceeded to take the wickets of Rinku Singh, Manish Pandey, and Andre Russell. Pandey was clean bowled for 19 off 14 while Rinku scored 17 off 14 before being caught in the deep by Naman Dhir.
Russell, the last remaining hope for KKR, was likewise unable to get going as Ashwani Kumar dismissed him for a mere five runs off eleven balls.
The youngster was outstanding against the all-star batting lineup.
Watch the video here:
Debut straight out of a storybook
The perfect first chapter for Ashwani Kumar
Updates
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After left-arm wrist-spinner Vignesh Puthur as the team’s second standout new player this season, Ashwani will make MI’s talent scouting team very proud and happy with their work.
“I’m feeling great. I was under pressure at first, but the team atmosphere made me feel better quickly. I just ate a banana because I was under pressure and didn’t feel really hungry (laughs). After the first innings, Ashwani told reporters, “I had a little planning, but they told me to enjoy my debut and bowl what I have been bowling.”
“I got a wicket (for me) after Hardik bhai instructed me to bowl short and at the body. Everyone would be watching in my village. By God’s goodness, I was given the chance to make my debut tonight,” he continued.
Hardik Pandya, the captain of MI, had earlier won the toss and invited KKR to bat first. After missing the previous game, Trent Boult managed to draw the first and bring in the dangerous Sunil Narine, who returned to the team. Quinton de Kock was sent back from the other end by Deepak Chahar after he was dismissed. After that, Ashwani took four wickets in three overs and gave up just 24 runs, making it his show.
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