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'Lunch Me Kuch Nahi Khaya...,' Ashwani Kumar On How He Prepared For Dream IPL Debut vs KKR

Aashay Chopade

Ashwani Kumar vs KKR (Source: AP Photos)Ashwani Kumar vs KKR (Source: AP Photos)

Mumbai Indians have started IPL 2025 with two consecutive losses, but they have roared back in style in their first home game of the season against KKR. Hardik Pandya won the toss and decided to bowl first, and Trent Boult delivered in the first over. Deepak Chahar too got the wicket, but it was debutant Ashwani Kumar who grabbed the limelight as he picked four wickets.

Ashwani Kumar Becomes Most Successful Indian Bowler On IPL Debut

He removed Ajinkya Rahane on the very first ball and then got the big wickets of Rinku Singh, Andre Russell and Manish Pandey. In the process, he became the first Indian player to bag four wickets on IPL debut. At the innings break, Ashwani Kumar was asked about how his preparation and he stated that there was lot of pressure but the team environment helped him.

He added that the management told him to just bowl the way he has been bowling and also revealed that he only eat one Banana in the Lunch due to his nervousness.

 "It is a wonderful feeling. There was a lot of pressure but the way the team environment is, it went alright. (On what he ate) Lunch, I didn't eat anything (Lunch me kuch nahi khaya). Only had a banana. There were too much nerves before the game. I planned a a lot. They said, it is your debut game, just go out there and bowl as you do."

He stated that Hardik Pandya told him to bang the ball on the pitch against Russell but he did not get it right. Ashwani also revealed that everyone in his village in Punjab would be watching the game and he will talk with them once the match is over.

(On plans for Russell) "Yeah, the captain had told me to bang it into the pitch to the batter. It didn't come off. Then he said to bowl into the body but the situation was such that he went for a big shot and got out. Yes, everyone at my village will be watching it, I will have a word with them after the game."

Ashwani Kumar's brilliance helped MI bundle out KKR for just 116 and now look set to register their first win of the season.