The Mumbai Indians (MI) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) clash in IPL 2025 witnessed an unexpected hero—Ashwani Kumar, a relatively unknown pacer who made a sensational debut. His fiery spell dismantled KKR’s batting lineup, leaving fans and experts in awe. But who is Ashwani Kumar, and where did he come from?
This article dives deep into his background, his journey to the IPL, and how he became an overnight sensation in MI’s thrilling victory over KKR.
Ashwani Kumar’s Stunning Debut vs KKR
In a high-pressure game at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Indians handed a debut to Ashwani Kumar, a 22-year-old right-arm fast bowler. With KKR’s strong batting lineup featuring Shreyas Iyer, Venkatesh Iyer, and Rinku Singh, few expected a rookie to dominate.
However, Ashwani stunned everyone with his pace, swing, and pinpoint yorkers, finishing with figures of 4/22 in 4 overs. His victims included KKR captain Shreyas Iyer, explosive opener Phil Salt, and power-hitter Andre Russell.
Key Moments from His Spell:
- Dismissed Phil Salt with a 145 kmph inswinger that crashed into the stumps.
- Outfoxed Shreyas Iyer with a clever slower ball, inducing a mistimed shot to mid-wicket.
- Shattered Andre Russell’s stumps with a brilliant yorker, leaving the Caribbean star stunned.
His performance earned him the Player of the Match award and made him an instant fan favorite.
Who is Ashwani Kumar? The Rise of Mumbai Indians’ New Star
Early Life and Domestic Career
Debut straight out of a storybook 📖
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The perfect first chapter for Ashwani Kumar 👌👌
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Ashwani Kumar hails from Haryana, a state known for producing fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohit Sharma. Born in Rohtak, he started playing cricket at the age of 12 and quickly impressed with his raw pace.
- Domestic Debut: Played for Haryana in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (2023).
- Ranji Trophy (2024): Took 28 wickets in 6 matches, catching the eye of IPL scouts.
- IPL Auction 2025: Mumbai Indians signed him for ₹50 lakh as a backup pacer.
Playing Style & Strengths
- Pace: Consistently bowls 140-148 kmph.
- Swing & Seam: Moves the ball both ways, troubling batters early on.
- Yorkers & Variations: Deadly at the death, similar to Jasprit Bumrah.
Mentorship Under Lasith Malinga
Ashwani credits MI bowling coach Lasith Malinga for refining his skills.
“Malinga sir taught me how to bowl the perfect yorker and read the batter’s mind. His guidance has been invaluable.”
How Ashwani Kumar’s Inclusion Changed MI’s Bowling Attack
Before Ashwani’s debut, MI’s pace attack relied heavily on Jasprit Bumrah and Jason Behrendorff. However, injuries and inconsistent performances created an opportunity for the young pacer.
- Impact: Provided wicket-taking ability in the powerplay and death overs.
- Team Balance: Allowed Hardik Pandya to use Bumrah more strategically.
Fan & Expert Reactions
- Sachin Tendulkar tweeted: “What a debut by Ashwani Kumar! Reminds me of young Bumrah’s rise.”
- Harbhajan Singh said: “MI has unearthed another gem. This boy is special.”
What’s Next for Ashwani Kumar?
With this dream debut, Ashwani has cemented his place in MI’s playing XI. His future prospects include:
- Potential India A call-up if he maintains form.
- IPL 2025 Emerging Player of the Season contender.
- Long-term replacement for Bumrah in the national team.
