Key Points
- Match Result: Mumbai Indians (MI) defeated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 8 wickets at the Wankhede Stadium.
- Ashwani Kumar’s Record-Breaking Debut: The 23-year-old pacer took 4 wickets for 24 runs, the best figures by an Indian on IPL debut.
- KKR’s Collapse: KKR were bowled out for just 116 runs in 16.2 overs, their lowest total this season.
- Ryan Rickelton’s Heroics: Rickelton scored a fiery 62* to guide MI to their first win of IPL 2025 in just 12.5 overs.
New Delhi: Mumbai Indians (MI) secured a commanding victory over defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 12th match of IPL 2025 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. MI chased down a modest target of 117 in just 12.5 overs, with Ryan Rickelton’s unbeaten half-century leading the charge. This win marked MI’s first victory of the season after two consecutive losses.
Ashwani Kumar’s Historic Debut
The star of the match was MI’s debutant, Ashwani Kumar, who delivered a sensational performance with the ball. The young left-arm pacer from Punjab claimed four crucial wickets, including that of KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane, Rinku Singh, and Andre Russell. His figures of 4/24 are now the best by an Indian bowler on IPL debut, placing him among elite company in the league’s history.
Ashwani struck with his very first delivery, dismissing Rahane with a sharp delivery that forced an aerial shot caught at deep backward point. He later removed key middle-order batters Rinku Singh and Russell, showcasing control over length and pace variations that left KKR’s batting lineup in shambles.
KKR’s Batting Struggles
KKR had a disastrous start after being sent to bat first by MI captain Hardik Pandya. Openers Quinton de Kock (1) and Sunil Narine (0) were dismissed within the first two overs by Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar, respectively. By the end of the powerplay, KKR were reeling at 41/4.
While Angkrish Raghuvanshi provided some resistance with a quickfire 26 off 16 balls, his dismissal to Hardik Pandya further dented KKR’s hopes. Manish Pandey (17) and Rinku Singh (17) tried to stabilize the innings but fell prey to Ashwani Kumar’s brilliance. KKR were eventually bowled out for a paltry 116 runs in just 16.2 overs.
Ryan Rickelton Steals the Show in Chase
Chasing a modest target, MI opener Ryan Rickelton played a scintillating knock of 62* off just 33 balls, including six boundaries and three sixes. Although Rohit Sharma (13) fell early, Rickelton ensured there were no further hiccups. Suryakumar Yadav contributed an unbeaten 27*, sealing the victory with ease.
Key Performances
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Ashwani Kumar | 4 wickets for 24 runs |
| Ryan Rickelton | 62* off 33 balls |
| Deepak Chahar | 2 wickets for 19 runs |
| Angkrish Raghuvanshi | Top-scored for KKR with 26 |
What This Means for Both Teams
- Mumbai Indians: This victory lifts MI off the bottom of the points table and gives them much-needed momentum after two consecutive losses. The team will hope Ashwani Kumar continues his stellar form as they aim to climb higher in the standings.
- Kolkata Knight Riders: For KKR, this defeat exposes vulnerabilities in their batting lineup despite being defending champions. They will need to regroup quickly to avoid further setbacks in their title defense.
Looking Ahead
Mumbai Indians will look to build on this win as they face Sunrisers Hyderabad next, while Kolkata Knight Riders will aim for redemption against Gujarat Titans in their upcoming clash.
With Ashwani Kumar emerging as a new star for MI and Ryan Rickelton anchoring their chase masterfully, this match has set high expectations for what’s to come in IPL 2025!
