Mumbai Indians registered their first victory of the season in the Indian Premier League (IPL). That win was assured due to the brilliant debut given by 23-year-old medium pacer Ashwani Kumar. Mumbai played at their home ground for the first time this season and took full advantage, dominating the Kolkata Knight Riders to win by eight wickets. Kumar’s magnificent four-wicket haul was integral to their success.
Kumar dazzled fans and analysts alike with his otherworldly performance in 2021. His impact was immediate. He took four wickets for only 24 runs – the best figures by an Indian IPL debutant ever. That’s the fourth-best debut bowling figures in league history. It is living proof of one man’s brilliance, writ large.
In an exciting contest, the title-holders Kolkata were restricted to a paltry 116-run total. Kumar absolutely ran through the competition, claiming the most important wickets, including Kolkata captain Ajinkya Rahane, Rinku Singh, Manish Pandey and the intimidating Andre Russell. Suryakumar’s efforts were well supported by a disciplined bowling display from the whole Mumbai team.
Captain Hardik Pandya was fulsome in his praise of Kumar, crediting the shrewdness of their scouts who picked him out for this match.
“We thought Ashwani can come in on this pitch and bowl the way he bowled. It is all the scouts – they picked him,” – Captain Hardik Pandya
Pandya expanded even more on Kumar’s potential, praising his unconventional bowling action and techniques he picked up while watching during net sessions.
“They have gone to all the places and picked these young kids. We played a practice game, he had that zip, that late swing, something off the wicket, a different action and he was a leftie,” – Captain Hardik Pandya
Kumar himself admitted to feeling the heat in his opening test, but was able to keep his eye on the prize. He jokingly commented on his dietary habits before each match, sharing that he ate just one banana before getting on the pitch.
“I didn’t have anything for lunch, I just had a banana. There was a little pressure. I wasn’t feeling hungry,” – Ashwani Kumar
That incredible performance was Mumbai’s most important win early in the season. This victory established a remarkably uplifting vibe, which would continue throughout the matches to come. Pandya urged Kumar to build on his sensational run of form.
“Just keep bowling the way you have been,” – Captain Hardik Pandya
