IPL 2025: Hardik Pandya hails Ashwani Kumar and MI’s scouts after win against KKR

Mumbai Indians registered their first win of IPL 2025 as they defeated the reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday. The team’s captain Hardik Pandya was delighted with a collective effort and hailed Ashwani Kumar for making a brilliant debut.

Kumar was able to settle his nerves as he took a fine catch at mid-off to send back Quinton de Kock. Pandya gave the ball to the left-arm seamer in the fourth over and he struck with his first ball, dismissing KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane.

In his second spell, Ashwani Kumar got the wickets of Rinku Singh and Manish Pandey, the impact substitute. The 23-year-old from Mohali then accounted for Andre Russell and returned with impressive figures of 4-24, registering the best bowling figures by an Indian player on his IPL debut. Furthermore, he became the first Indian bowler to take four wickets on his debut in the IPL.

Hardik Pandya said in the post-match presentation, “This wicket just offered a bit more and we thought Ashwani can come in and bowl the way he bowled. First of all, it’s all because of the scouts. All MI scouts have gone all the places and picked these young kids. We played a practice game and it looked like he had that zip and late swing, had a different action and plus he is a leftie. The way he took that wicket of Russell was a very crucial wicket. And especially, how he started with that catch of Quinton. Was great to see a fast bowler jumping that high.”

Pandya said it was a very satisfying win as it was a collective effort from the whole team.

He concluded, “Very satisfying to win, especially at home. The way we did it, as a group, everyone chipped in – can’t be happier. It’s always a challenge of picking one guy here and there. With our team, it’s pretty sorted with the players who we are backing.”

Mumbai Indians will next take on Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Friday.