Mumbai Indians needed only three games to overcome their familiar starting trouble in IPL 2025. The five-time champions decimated Kolkata Knight RIders by 8 wickets, chasing a below-par target of 117 in just 12.5 overs. MI were spot on with the ball, led by debutant Ashwani Kumar, who registered the best bowling figues for an Indian bowler on his IPL debut. | MI vs KKR Highlights | Scorecard |
Ryan Rickelton made his first big impact for Mumbai Indians with the bat. The South African batter led the chase with a 41-ball 62, ensuring MI did not stutter in a low-scoring match at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday, March 31. MI lost Rohit Sharma, who is struggling for form, for 13 and Will Jacks for 16, but Rickelton and Suryakumar Yadav (27 off 9) took them past the finish line with 43 balls to spare.
It was a commanding performance from the Mumbai Indians, who have received a massive boost in Net Run Rate. MI lost to Chennai Super Kings in Chennai and to Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad in their first two games, but Monday’s win in Mumbai would have given them a lot of confidence. It will also be a warning notice for the rest of the sides in the 2025 season as Mumbai have made it a habit to start slowly and find their rhythm throughout the season.
With a big boost in Net Run Rate, Mumbai Indians went from No. 10 to No. 6 in the IPL 2025 points table.
IPL 2025 Coverage | IPL Points Table | IPL Schedule
The hero of the day for Mumbai Indians was Ashwani Kumar, the 23-year-old Punjab fast bowler who made his debut in the Indian Premier League in style. The left-arm fast bowler impressed one and all with his pace, cricket smarts and attitude, sending the stumps for cartwheels, more often than not. Ashwani picked up a wicket in the first ball of his IPL career, removing KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane. He finished his spell by rattling the stumps of KKR great Andre Russell, ending with figures of 4 for 24 in three overs.
Ashwani Kumar is latest in the assembly line of Mumbai Indians scouting gems. The left-arm fast bowler was identified by the Mumbai Indians team when he was making a mark in a T20 league in Punjab last year.
