• Mumbai Indians' young pacer Ashwani Kumar had a dream start to his Indian Premier League (IPL) career.

  • Ashwani struck with his very first ball against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2025 season.

WATCH: MI debutant Ashwani Kumar bags maiden wicket on his first ball in IPL 2025
Ashwani Kumar bags his maiden IPL wicket (Image Source: X)

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Mumbai Indians’ (MI) young pacer Ashwani Kumar had a dream start to his Indian Premier League (IPL) career as he struck with his very first ball against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2025 season. The debutant showcased nerves of steel as he dismissed seasoned batter Ajinkya Rahane in his opening over, making an instant impact on the game.

First ball, first wicket for Ashwani Kumar

Bowling the third over of the match, Ashwani delivered a full-length ball wide outside off, tempting Rahane into a flashy drive. The ball flew towards deep backward point, where Tilak Varma initially fumbled but showed great reflexes to complete the catch on the second attempt. It was a moment of jubilation for the young bowler, who celebrated his maiden IPL wicket with sheer excitement.

Here is the video:

Also WATCH: Trent Boult strikes early to dismiss Sunil Narine with an out swinging yorker during MI vs KKR game in IPL 2025

MI’s strategy pays off

Mumbai Indians had placed great trust in their young talent, and Ashwani repaid that faith in style. With MI aiming to strengthen their bowling lineup, the inclusion of Ashwani provided the team with a fresh and fiery option. His ability to maintain composure under pressure and strike early made him a valuable asset to the squad.

KKR struggles in Powerplay

Following Ashwani’s early breakthrough, KKR found themselves in deep trouble. The team lost five wickets for just 45 runs at the end of seven overs, struggling to build any momentum. The disciplined MI bowling attack, led by Ashwani’s debut brilliance, restricted KKR’s batting lineup from gaining control.

Also READ: Why Ruturaj Gaikwad is not opening the innings in IPL 2025? CSK skipper reveals the reason

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AKSHAT GAUR
Akshat is the Sr. Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Akshat has honed his skills over 6 years, working with various media outlets, publications, and organizations to deliver high-quality content that informs, educates, and entertains audiences. He is just another cricket fan who’s grown up watching the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Cricket runs in his veins. Cover drive is his favorite sight, and a ball meeting the middle of the bat is his favorite sound. You can write to him at akshat.gaur@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter, Facebook & Linkedin.