Andre Russell gets bowled by Ashwani Kumar: 23-year-old Ashwani Kumar from Punjab had a dream IPL debut on Monday evening at the Wankhede Stadium.
Donning the blue and gold of the Mumbai Indians (MI), the left-arm pacer who had played in only four T20 matches until yesterday and taken two wickets in them, claimed four wickets on his IPL debut, dismantling the powerful batting line-up of the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
All of his four scalps were big names: KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane, Rinku Singh, Manish Pandey, and the fearsome Andre Russell. The youngster knocked over the stumps of Pandey and Russell, sending shockwaves among the KKR supporters.
To Russell, Ashwani Kumar bowled a length ball slanting across the angle. The West Indian aimed to hack the ball across the line, notwithstanding KKR’s score of 88/7 with over 7 overs to go.
Russell completely missed the ball, which rattled into the top of the middle-stump. Ashwani, unknown to this kind of platform so far, celebrated with a child-like joy on his face. The MI owners, Nita Ambani and her son Akash, stood up from their seats and applauded Ashwani’s oustanding performance.
Watch: Andre Russell gets bowled by Ashwani Kumar
Ashwani finished with figures of 4/24; Hardik Pandya, the MI captain, didn’t give the youngster his fourth over, denying him the opportunity to look for a five-wicket haul. Nonetheless, Ashwani’s 4/24 is now the best bowling figures by an Indian bowler on his IPL debut, becoming the first Indian to get a four-wicket haul on his IPL debut match. He claimed the fourth-best figures on IPL debut.
Speaking after KKR’s innings, Ashwani said, “I felt very good, there was pressure but the team environment helped me to settle down. I didn’t have lunch today, I only ate a banana, there was some pressure so I didn’t feel hungry. I made a bit of plan, they (team management) told me that it’s my debut match so enjoy yourself and back your skills. The captain also played his role, Hardik bhai told me to bowl it into the wicket. Everyone back in the village will be watching me play, I got my opportunity today and I’m very happy.”
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