Ashwini Kumar, a 23-year-old left-arm medium-pace bowler from Mohali, plays domestic cricket for Punjab. His career includes two first-class, four List A, and four T20 matches.
Ashwani Kumar, a young left-arm fast bowler for the Mumbai Indians, had a remarkable IPL debut against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday. His impressive bowling figures of 4 wickets for 24 runs contributed to KKR’s low score of 116 runs, the lowest total of the IPL season so far, achieved in just 16.2 overs.
A 23-year-old cricketer from Jhanjeri, near Chandigarh, made history as the first Indian to achieve a four-wicket haul in his IPL debut. This exceptional performance places him alongside other notable bowlers who also had impressive first IPL matches, such as Alzarri Joseph (6/12) and Andrew Tye (5/17).
Ashwani bowled KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane out with his opening delivery in the IPL match. Deepak Chahar’s economical bowling (2 for 19) further weakened KKR’s batting performance, resulting in a low total. Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s 26 runs from 16 balls was the highest individual score for KKR.
“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. The captain, Hardik bhai, told me to bowl it into the wicket and back my skills. Everyone back in my village will be watching me play, and I’m very happy,” Ashwini reflected on his debut.
Ashwani’s impressive debut performance, despite limited prior experience in senior T20, Ranji Trophy, and List A matches, suggests a promising career for the young fast bowler and the Mumbai Indians.
