Banana-Powered Debut: Ashwani Kumar’s Record-Breaking IPL Start Steals the Show for Mumbai Indians

In a tournament where seasoned stars often hog the limelight, a 23-year-old rookie from a small village near Chandigarh just etched his name into IPL history—with a little help from a banana. Ashwani Kumar, making his debut for Mumbai Indians, delivered a jaw-dropping performance against Kolkata Knight Riders, claiming 4 wickets for 24 runs in just three overs. This isn’t just any debut; it’s the stuff of dreams. Kumar became the first Indian player to take four wickets on IPL debut and notched the fourth-best debut bowling figures in IPL history. And yes, he did it all after skipping lunch and fueling up with a single banana.

The stage was set at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium on March 31, 2025, for what would become a night to remember. Mumbai Indians, chasing their first win of the IPL 2025 season, turned to their debutant left-arm pacer, Ashwani Kumar. What followed was pure magic. Kumar’s spell of 4/24 dismantled Kolkata’s batting lineup, restricting them to a paltry 116 runs—the lowest total of the season so far. Mumbai chased it down with ease, winning by eight wickets with more than seven overs to spare.

But it wasn’t just the numbers that made headlines. Kumar’s journey to this moment is as inspiring as his performance. Hailing from Jhanjeri, a village near Chandigarh, Kumar was largely seen as a backup pacer for Punjab in domestic cricket. His big break came when Mumbai Indians’ scouts spotted his knack for bowling pinpoint Yorkers during the Sher-E-Punjab T20 Trophy. Bought for a modest Rs 30 lakh at the IPL 2025 auction, Kumar’s debut proved he’s worth every penny—and then some.

The Banana That Fueled a Dream

In a post-match interview, Kumar revealed a quirky detail that’s already becoming part of IPL folklore: he played the match on an empty stomach, having eaten only a banana for lunch. “I was too nervous to eat,” he admitted with a smile. “But that banana must have been lucky!” Nervous or not, Kumar’s performance was anything but shaky. His spell included the scalps of KKR heavyweights like Ajinkya Rahane, Rinku Singh, Manish Pandey, and Andre Russell—a list that would intimidate even the most experienced bowlers.

Kumar’s debut wasn’t just a personal triumph; it was a showcase of Mumbai Indians’ scouting prowess. Known for unearthing gems, Mumbai’s talent scouts have struck gold again, following in the footsteps of previous finds like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya.