Mon Mar 31 14:40:00 UTC 2025: ## IPL 2025: Ashwani Kumar’s Debut Stunner Leads Mumbai Indians to Victory Over Kolkata Knight Riders

**Mumbai, India** – In a thrilling encounter at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Indians (MI) defeated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by a comfortable margin in their IPL 2025 clash. After restricting KKR to a modest 116 runs, MI chased down the target with relative ease.

The match was dominated by the sensational debut of Mumbai Indians’ left-arm pacer, Ashwani Kumar. Kumar claimed a remarkable four wickets for 24 runs in his IPL debut, becoming the first Indian bowler to achieve this feat on his first match. This impressive performance overshadowed the contributions of other MI bowlers, including Deepak Chahar (2 wickets) and Trent Boult (1 wicket). His spell included the crucial dismissal of KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane on the very first ball of his spell.

KKR’s batting lineup struggled throughout the innings. Key players like Rinku Singh (17), Manish Pandey (19), and Andre Russell (5) all failed to make significant contributions, falling prey to Kumar’s exceptional bowling. Angkrish Raghuvanshi offered some resistance with a 26-run cameo before being dismissed. Sunil Narine and Quinton de Kock were early casualties, failing to make any impact on the scoreboard.

Despite the early losses, MI showcased a strong start to their chase. Reaching 42 runs without loss after four overs, they never looked back. The victory is a significant boost for MI, who suffered earlier defeats against Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans. KKR, who had previously won against Sunrisers Hyderabad, will need to regroup after this loss.

The head-to-head record between MI and KKR now stands at 23 wins for MI and 11 for KKR in 34 encounters. This win marks a significant victory for Mumbai at the Wankhede, after KKR secured their first victory at the venue in 12 years in the previous season. The match also saw the inclusion of Sunil Narine in the KKR playing XI, after recovering from an injury, while MI fielded debutant Ashwani Kumar alongside Will Jacks and Vignesh Puthur. Rohit Sharma featured as an impact player for MI.

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