Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
Young fast bowler Ashwani Kumar turned out to be a hero in Mumbai Indians’ first win in IPL 2025, playing his debut game in the cash-rich league. The 23-year-old ended up taking four wickets as MI bowled KKR out for just 116 runs and went on to chase the target in 12.5 overs. Ashwani was also adjudged player of the match for his tremendous performance on IPL debut, registering figures of 4/24 in three overs.
After the match, Ashwani Kumar revealed that he didn’t have lunch during match day as he wasn’t feeling hungry and ate only one banana. "I didn't have anything for lunch, I just had a banana. There was a little pressure. I wasn't feeling hungry," Ashwani said during post match presentation. "But still, I played well, so it's good,” he added.
It's your debut match, enjoy yourself: Ashwani Kumar reveals skipper Hardik Pandya’s words to him before IPL debut
Speaking further, Ashwani Kumar also revealed how MI captain Hardik Pandya motivated him before his debut against KKR at Wankhede Stadium on Monday, March 31. "We had plans. But [Hardik Pandya, the MI captain] said that since it's your debut match, enjoy yourself. Just keep bowling the way you have been," Ashwani said.
Ashwani Kumar also revealed Hardik Pandya’s tactics to him that helped to get a big wicket of Andre Russell. After getting smashed for a boundary against Russell, Ashwani came up with two short balls against the KKR batter followed by the full delivery that finally sent him to the pavilion.
“Yes, the captain did have a role. Hardik bhai had told me that he will try to attack you. He told me to bowl into his body. But the situation was such that he tried to hit me and got out,” Ashwani Kumar said.
