IPL 2025: MI young pacer Ashwani Kumar's ‘I Am Enough’ tattoo and its powerful meaning

Mumbai Indians' (MI) young left-arm pacer Ashwani Kumar had a night to remember in the IPL 2025 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Wankhede Stadium on Monday, March 31. The 23-year-old seamer made a sensational debut, picking up a four-wicket haul and playing a crucial hand in bundling KKR out for just 116 runs. However, apart from his brilliant on-field performance, his tattoo caught attention and quickly went viral.

Tattoo stories are often personal, and the tale behind Ashwani's "I Am Enough" is no different. The phrase indicates self-belief and fighting power, making it his powerful mantra. The tattoo became viral after cameras caught it on his bowling arm while he was celebrating a wicket.

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- Playing his debut match - Took a four-wicket haul - Won player of the match award A dream debut for Ashwani Kumar #AshwaniKumar #MumbaiIndians

10:47 PM · Mar 31, 2025

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Ashwani, who hails from Jhanjeri, a small village in Punjab, faced financial difficulties in pursuing his cricket dreams. His career so far has seen him get sidelined by injuries, overlooked in domestic selections, and had to fight his way back. 

MI picked the young pacer for INR 30 lakh

Meanwhile, making his IPL debut for MI in their third game of the season, he produced a stunning spell, dismissing four KKR batters, including skipper Ajinkya Rahane, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, and Manish Pandey. He became the first Indian bowler, and only the sixth overall, to take a four-wicket haul on IPL debut.

His control over line and length, bounce, and ability to surprise batters made him different from others. He troubled Rahane with his first ball, forced Rinku into a false shot, and completely outplayed Russell with a sharp bouncer followed by a perfect good-length delivery. KKR batters tried to attack him, but failed in the process.

Notably, Ashwani had played only a handful of domestic games and was previously a net bowler for Punjab Kings (PBKS). His performances in the 2024 Sher-E-Punjab T20 tournament caught the attention of MI scouts, who took a chance on him at the IPL 2025 auction, securing his services for INR 30 lakh. Mumbai Indians' decision to back the young pacer paid off spectacularly. With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable and the side struggling with two consecutive losses, the youngster stepped up when his team needed him the most.