Who is Mumbai Indians’ latest pace scout, Ashwani Kumar—the man behind a stunning 4/24 against KKR? Everything you need to know about him.
On a night when stars were expected to shine, a new one emerged—Ashwani Kumar. Former India coach and commentator Ravi Shastri summed it up best when he declared on air, “The night will be remembered for a name called Ashwani Kumar.” And why not? The young left-arm pacer announced himself in style, delivering a quality spell of 4/24 in just three overs to power Mumbai Indians (MI) to victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday.
For MI, this was business as usual—they have a knack for unearthing young talent, and Ashwani Kumar is the latest jewel in their scouting crown. But for the 23-year-old from Jhanjheri, Mohali, this was the culmination of years of sweat, struggle, and an unshakable dream. Bought for his base price of ₹30 lakh at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction, Ashwani made every rupee count, at least in his debut match.
He knocked out KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane, the hard-hitting batter Rinku Singh, the formidable Manish Pandey, and the big man, Andre Russell. Two of them were clean-bowled, left shocked by the sheer pace and movement of the debutant. To make his fairytale start even sweeter, Ashwani became the first India bowler in a decade to take a wicket with his very first ball in the IPL. Not bad for someone who had only eaten a banana before the match, too nervous to touch anything else.
“I knew everyone back in my village was watching me. I got my opportunity today, and I’m very happy,” he said in the post-match presentation. His four-wicket haul was not only the best-ever IPL debut performance by an India pacer, but it also played a crucial role in restricting KKR to a total of 116, leading the way for MI’s comfortable win.
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From Punjab’s benches to IPL stardom
Ashwani’s path to the IPL wasn’t a straightforward one. He started playing at the Government Senior Secondary School ground in 2014, honing his skills alongside the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Ramandeep Singh, and Arshdeep Singh at the PCA Academy. His hard work paid off when he made his Ranji Trophy debut for Punjab in December 2019 at just 17. But what was supposed to be a breakthrough moment turned into a frustrating period of stagnation.
His debut match against Rajasthan was uneventful—just one wicket in each innings. Worse, Punjab’s pace department was already stacked with established names like Siddharth Kaul, Baltej Singh, and Arshdeep Singh. Opportunities were rare, and Ashwani found himself struggling to break into the playing XI. Even last year, when he was part of Punjab Kings’ IPL squad, he didn’t get a single game.
However, Ashwani continued to work on his game, fine-tuning his pace and accuracy while focusing on fitness. He consistently bowled between 130-140 kmph, developing a deadly left-armer’s angle that moved away from right-handers while also adding extra zip to his deliveries. His patience finally paid off when Mumbai Indians took a chance on him at the IPL auction.
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Delighted for young Ashwani Kumar. He looked so happy and seeing that in a young cricketer's eyes is so heartwarming. It is one of the things I enjoy the most in my profession
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 31, 2025
Blood, sweat, and ₹30 rides to practice
Behind every young cricketer’s rise, there’s a story of sacrifice, and Ashwani’s is no different. His father, Harkesh Kumar, remembers the struggles his son went through to pursue cricket.
“Rain or shine, Ashwani never missed training. He would cycle to the PCA Academy in Mohali, sometimes taking lifts, sometimes squeezing into shared autos,” Harkesh told The Indian Express. “I remember he would take ₹30 from me for the fare, and when Mumbai Indians picked him for ₹30 lakh, I thought, yes, he’s worth every single penny.”
The young pacer’s dedication was relentless. After long, gruelling training sessions, he would return home at 10 PM, only to wake up at 5 AM and do it all over again. It’s this kind of grit that set him apart and ultimately led to his big break.
With his stellar debut, Ashwani Kumar has given Indian cricket something to be excited about. India have always been on the lookout for quality left-arm pacers, and Ashwani’s ability to swing the ball at high speeds could make him a valuable asset in the years to come.
For now, he must be just enjoying the moment—his first game, his first wickets, and the adulation that comes with it. But if his journey so far is any indication, this is just the beginning.
Dream Debut for Ashwani Kumar. Looks deceptively sharp.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 31, 2025
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