Fri May 30 17:10:00 UTC 2025: **Mumbai Indians’ Youngster Ashwani Kumar Plays Key Role in Eliminator Victory**

**MULLANPUR, Punjab** – Mumbai Indians’ (MI) young left-arm pacer Ashwani Kumar played a pivotal role in his team’s 20-run victory against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Eliminator of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season 18. Introduced as an impact substitute in the 11th over, replacing seasoned opener Rohit Sharma, Kumar helped MI defend their imposing total of 228/5 on Mullanpur’s flat pitch.

Gujarat Titans were aggressively chasing the target, reaching 106/2 at the halfway mark. MI Captain Hardik Pandya and team management decided to bring in Kumar to change the game’s momentum. Kumar was immediately handed the ball and tasked with disrupting GT’s scoring spree. He successfully contained the flow of boundaries and, notably, saved 21 runs in the final three balls of the final over after Richard Gleeson was unable to finish off his over.

“The wicket was flat,” Kumar explained after the match. “We might have included a spinner. But then I was introduced as the impact player. Malinga sir and Paras (Mhambrey) sir helped me with ideas.”

Kumar’s efforts culminated in a crucial dismissal of Shahrukh Khan, who hit the ball straight into Suryakumar Yadav’s hands at extra cover. He finished with figures of 1/28 in 3.3 overs.

“I was focusing on my plan and bowled to my strengths. I just didn’t want to bowl a wide or a no-ball while bowling the last three balls,” he said.

Mumbai’s victory was initially built on a strong 81-run innings from Rohit Sharma and late hitting from Hardik Pandya, propelling MI to a total of 228/6. While Sai Sudharsan’s valiant 80(49) kept GT in the game, they ultimately succumbed to the pressure.

The win secures Mumbai Indians a spot in Qualifier 2, where they will face Punjab Kings on Sunday.

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