“We train at the same academy. Very happy for him.”
Despite being annihilated by Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders allrounder Ramandeep Singh had a twinkle in his eye when he was asked about his Punjab teammate Ashwani Kumar’s exploits on Indian Premier League debut.
The academy Ramandeep was referring to is aptly named Launching Pad Cricket Academy in Mohali, founded by Varinder Singh. And on Monday night, Ashwani’s first flight in the world of IPL — that too donning the jersey of a franchise that’s served as a launchpad to multiple top cricketers of the current generations – took off on a perfect note, continuously created turbulence in the opposition camp and had a smooth landing.
The 23-year-old left-arm pacer from Jhanjheri village, around 20 km away from Chandigarh, bowled a magic spell to emerge as the Player of the Match in Mumbai Indians’ maiden outing of the season.
Despite having played in two Ranji Trophy matches (last in 2022), three Vijay Hazare Trophy games (last in 2022), and four Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches (2024) for Punjab, Ashwani had never picked more than three wickets in any format.
But on Monday (March 31, 2025), Ashwani made a statement with four wickets, including some of the biggest names in the IPL. His spell was instrumental in Mumbai Indians’ four-pronged pace attack dismantling Kolkata Knight Riders for just 116 runs.
At 23, Ashwani was largely seen as a back-up pacer for Punjab, but MI scouts spotted his precision, especially his ability to bowl wide yorkers consistently, during last year’s Sher-E-Punjab Trophy. Not many noticed when MI secured him at base price at the fag end of the IPL auction in Jeddah last year. But against KKR, Ashwani needed just one ball to grab the headlines.
With Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar accounting for the KKR openers in their respective first overs, the Knight Riders’ hopes rested on captain Ajinkya Rahane.
In his first over, Ashwani’s opening delivery pitched wide outside off stump, swung further away, Rahane sliced it, and Tilak Varma grabbed the top-edge on his second attempt. Ashwani had arrived. Had Mitchell Santner pouched a difficult chance off Venkatesh Iyer’s miscued cut later in the over, it would have been a double delight.
When reintroduced in the 11th over, Ashwani’s double strike dashed KKR’s comeback hopes. He dismissed Rinku Singh, caught by Nanam Dhir at deep point, and then bowled Manish Pandey off his pads with a perfect delivery that left the batter stranded at the crease.
But Ashwani wasn’t done. In his next over, he took down Andre Russell with a full delivery that rattled the West Indian’s stumps, completing a dream debut.
Ashwani’s small-town innocence came to the fore when he was introduced by the broadcaster during the mid-innings break. When asked what he had for breakfast, Ashwani responded as a matter of fact.
“I just had a banana because there was pressure, so was not feeling very hungry. I had planned a little but they told me to enjoy myself on debut and bowl what I have been bowling,” he said.
“Hardik bhai (Pandya) told me to bowl short and to bowl at the body and that led to a wicket. In my village, everyone would be watching. They were just waiting for my debut, and by God’s grace, I got an opportunity tonight and did well.”
Ashwani’s dream debut came in conditions tailormade for the pacers at the Wankhede. Not only the fresh red-soil surface offer optimum bounce but with virtually no dew, the pacers managed to swing the ball consistently.
As for Ramandeep, despite revelling in his Punjab teammate’s performance, one of his wishes remained unfulfilled.
“Since we train together, I was looking forward to facing him in the match but it just did not happen tonight,” Ramandeep said.
If Ashwani manages to fly high on the launchpad, the opportunity will definitely arise in the coming seasons of IPL.
Published – April 01, 2025 12:00 pm IST
Email