Mumbai Indians (MI) registered their first win of IPL 2025 with a commanding eight-wicket triumph over defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), extending their dominant record at the Wankhede Stadium to 10-2.
The victory was orchestrated by an unexpected hero—fast bowler Ashwani Kumar—who delivered a sensational debut performance, claiming 4 for 24, the best figures by an Indian on IPL debut, as KKR were bundled out for just 116.
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Ashwani Kumar’s Dream Debut
At just 23 years old, Ashwani Kumar had played only two T20 matches before this game. Naturally, nerves kicked in when he was informed of his debut, so much so that he skipped lunch. If his stellar performance is any indication, he might never eat before a match again—after all, cricketers are known for their superstitions.
Ashwani made an instant impact, dismissing opposition captain Ajinkya Rahane with his very first ball. His dream debut continued as he went on to remove Rinku Singh and Andre Russell—two of the most dangerous batters in the league. Few bowlers could ask for better wickets on their IPL debut.
With an orthodox bowling action and speeds mostly in the early to mid-130 kph range, Ashwani seemed like the kind of pacer IPL batters usually target. Yet, despite KKR’s best efforts, they couldn’t take him down. His rise to prominence began in the Sher-E-Punjab T20 trophy last year, where he thrived in death overs. While he didn’t bowl in that phase against KKR, his impressive control of length showcased why he can excel under pressure.
Rinku attempted to attack Ashwani, but just one ball after stepping down the track and striking a four, he was caught at the deep-point boundary. Ashwani smartly adjusted his length to unsettle the batter. Similarly, Russell went on the offensive, clearing his front leg to power a shot through the line. However, he was soon undone by a bouncer and then clean bowled by a 140kph good-length delivery that once again caught him off guard.
Boult’s First-Over Magic Continues
While Ashwani Kumar stole the spotlight by tripling his career wicket tally in a single evening, his success was built on the strong foundation set by two top-tier new-ball bowlers.
Trent Boult once again showcased his uncanny knack for early breakthroughs, striking in the first over for the 30th time in IPL history. This time, he dismantled Sunil Narine’s stumps to give Mumbai Indians the perfect start. At the other end, Deepak Chahar nullified Quinton de Kock’s strength—flicking straight deliveries over square leg—by keeping the ball outside off, ultimately forcing him into a mistimed shot that was caught at mid-off.
Despite the early setbacks, KKR remained aggressive, fully aware of the Wankhede Stadium’s reputation as a chase-friendly venue. In the first four overs, they attempted eight attacking shots—some successful, others not. Such is the nature of modern T20 cricket, where hesitation is a rarity. Rinku, however, might have exercised more caution. He perished attempting another big hit immediately after finding the boundary, even though KKR had only Russell and Ramandeep Singh as recognised batters with nearly half the innings still to play.
Rickelton’s Gritty Fifty
Ryan Rickelton had a shaky start, missing the first four balls he faced. His first boundary came via an inside edge, his first six off a top edge—early signs that “T20 cricket is flipping hard.” On a pitch expected to be a batting paradise due to its pace and bounce, fast bowlers from both sides were making life difficult.
However, with just 117 to chase, Rickelton had the luxury of settling in. His turning point came when Harshit Rana, in an attempt to take wickets, gifted him a slower-ball half-volley. Rickelton pounced on it with a crisp straight drive and never looked back. He reached his fifty in style, launching Sunil Narine for a six, and was at the non-striker’s end when Suryakumar Yadav sealed the win with another maximum.
Meanwhile, concerns around Rohit Sharma’s form persisted, as he managed only 13 runs before getting out.
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FAQs
Who was the standout performer in Mumbai Indians’ win over KKR in IPL 2025?
Fast bowler Ashwani Kumar stole the show with a sensational debut, claiming 4 for 24—the best figures by an Indian on IPL debut—as MI secured an eight-wicket victory.
How did Trent Boult contribute to Mumbai Indians’ early dominance against KKR?
Trent Boult struck in the first over for the 30th time in IPL history, clean bowling Sunil Narine to give MI a perfect start.
How did Ryan Rickelton recover from a shaky start to score a fifty?
After struggling early, Rickelton capitalized on a poor delivery from Harshit Rana, gaining confidence and reaching his half-century with a six off Sunil Narine.
What were the key turning points in MI’s bowling performance against KKR?
Ashwani Kumar’s early breakthroughs, including dismissing Ajinkya Rahane, Rinku Singh, and Andre Russell, combined with Boult and Deepak Chahar’s tight spells, restricted KKR to just 116.
Why is Rohit Sharma’s form a concern for Mumbai Indians?
Rohit managed only 13 runs in the match, continuing a worrying trend of low scores that raises questions about his batting form in IPL 2025.
