Ashwani Kumar – the latest find from Mumbai Indians (MI) talent-scouting network – hogged the limelight. Ryan Rickelton lived up to his billing as a ferocious hitter for the first time in the season. The home spectators returned to shower love on captain Hardik Pandya and his blue army.
These culminated in Mumbai Indians opening its account in the Indian Premier League 2025 with a facile win against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday night.
Ashwani, the left-arm pacer, emerged as the surprise package from a four-pronged pace attack to derail the Knight Riders. Riding on his four-wicket haul, his first as a senior crickete, MI bundled KKR out for a paltry 116.
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The 23-year-old made an impression with his first IPL delivery. With Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar having accounted for the KKR openers in their respective first overs, the Knight Riders’ hopes relied on captain Ajinkya Rahane. Ashwani bowled wide outside the off stump, and Rahane sliced it to Tilak Varma at backward point.
When he was reintroduced in the 11th over, Knight Riders were banking on Rinku Singh and Manish Pandey, who was the Impact Player with KKR tottering at 45 for five, to stage a recovery. But Ashwani nabbed Rinku (sliced to Nanam Dhir at deep point) and Manish (bowled off the pads with one that left Manish stranded at the crease) to rattle Knight Riders.
The dream debut got just better in his next over, with Andre Russell missing a full ball to see his stumps rearranged.
In reply, despite losing Rohit Sharma – who came in to bat as an Impact Player – Rickelton’s power-hitting meant the home team crossed the line with 43 balls to spare.
Chasing a paltry target, Rickelton flourished on his Wankhede debut. His unbeaten heroics – with successive sixes off Sunil Narine being the highlights – and Suryakumar Yadav’s cameo meant the home crowd had the perfect end to a long weekend.