[WATCH] IPL 2025: Debutant Ashwani Kumar cleans up Andre Russell cheaply in MI vs KKR clash
Russell was dismissed for 5 off 11.
Mumbai Indians (MI) bowled out the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for just 116 runs in the 12th match of the IPL 2025, courtesy of young debutant Ashwani Kumar. The 23-year-old left-arm pacer had a memorable day, taking a four-wicket haul against the defending champions to record the best figures for an Indian on IPL debut.
Mumbai Indians brought him into the team replacing Satyanarayana Raju in the XI to strengthen their pace attack. Ajinkya Rahane was the first one to fall into the bowler's trap, as Ashwani dismissed him on the very first ball of his IPL career, getting the KKR skipper caught by Tilak Varma at backward point.
He did not stop there and followed with the wickets of Rinku Singh, Manish Pandey, and Andre Russell to register digures of 4/24. While Rinku was caught by Naman Dhir in the deep after scoring 17 off 14, Pandey was clean bowled for 19 off 14.
KKR's last hope, Russell, also failed to get going as he was cleaned up by Ashwani for just five runs off 11 balls as the young boy proved to be brilliant against the star-studded batting attack.
Watch the video here:
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52MI's talent scouting team will be extremely proud and satisfied with their job as Ashwani is the second impressive new performer for the team this season after left-arm wrist-spinner Vignesh Puthur.
"Feeling very good, was feeling pressure early but the team environment did not make me feel that way (for long). Just had a banana, there was pressure, so was not feeling very hungry (smiles). Had planned a little, but they told me to enjoy myself on debut and bowl what I have been bowling," Ashwani told broadcasters after the first innings.
"Hardik bhai told me to bowl short and to bowl at the body, and the situation led to a wicket (for me). In my village, everyone would be watching. They were just waiting for my debut, and by god's grace, I got an opportunity tonight," he added.
Earlier, the game started with MI captain Hardik Pandya winning the toss and inviting KKR to bat first. It was Trent Boult who drew the first and got the dangerous Sunil Narine, who made his comeback into the team after missing out on the previous game. After his dismissal, Deepak Chahar sent Quinton de Kock back from the other end. From there, it was Ashwani's show as the bowler picked up four wickets in just three overs and conceded just 24 runs.
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