Follow UsMumbai Indians’ left-arm pacer Ashwani Kumar became the first Indian bowler to claim a four-wicket haul on debut in the Indian Premier League. The left-arm seamer made his IPL debut against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 31 (Monday) and registered figures of 4/24.
The 23-year-old from Punjab, who replaced Satyanarayana Raju in the MI playing XI, started his IPL career in a tremendous style. Ashwani dismissed KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane off his very first delivery in the IPL, becoming the fourth MI bowler to do so.
After bowling one over in the powerplay, Ashwani was brought back into the attack to bowl the 11th over and the seamer responded with two more wickets.
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Rinku Singh greeted him with a boundary but Ashwani got his revenge on the next delivery, getting the left-hander caught behind square on the off-side. If that wasn’t enough, Ashwani also knocked over Manish Pandey in the same over.
The left-arm pacer from Punjab wasn’t done yet as the youngster also cleaned up Andre Russell in his third over and completely broke the back of KKR’s batting line-up. Thanks to him, MI managed to dismiss KKR for 116 in 16.2 overs.
Ashwani could have picked up a five-wicket haul as well but the paceman didn’t get to complete his full quota of overs. He could have become the third pacer to take a five-fer on IPL debut after Alzarri Joseph and Andrew Tye.
That didn’t happen, as Ashwani only managed to register the fourth-best bowling figures on debut in the IPL.
"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," said Ashwani.
Alzarri Joseph (MI) - 6/12 vs SRH in 2019
Andrew Tye (Gujarat Lions) - 5/17 vs Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017
Shoaib Akhtar (KKR) - 4/11 vs Delhi Daredevils in 2008
Ashwani Kumar (MI) - 4/24 vs KKR in 2025*
Kevon Cooper (RR) - 4/26 vs Kings XI Punjab in 2012