Priyanka Tiwari
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Ashwani Kumar, a young pacer from Jhanjeri village in Mohali district, Punjab, made an unforgettable entry into the Indian Premier League. His figures of 4/24 against Kolkata Knight Riders marked the best-ever IPL debut by an Indian bowler. Commentator Ravi Shastri summed it up best: “The night will be remembered for a name called Ashwani Kumar.”
Coming from a village better known for educational institutes than sports, Ashwani’s rise has finally put Jhanjeri on the cricketing map.
Impressive Debut Performance
Bowling with pace and precision, Ashwani dismissed Ajinkya Rahane, Rinku Singh, Manish Pandey, and Andre Russell, with two scalps clean-bowled through sheer speed. Despite not completing his full quota of four overs, he played a key role in bundling out KKR for 116 in just 16.2 overs.
His performance earned him the Player of the Match award and glowing praise from fans, experts, and teammates alike.
Trained Under Coach Vajinder Singh
Ashwani and fellow cricketer Ramandeep Singh both trained at Chandigarh’s Launching Pad Academy under coach Vajinder Singh. Vajinder remembers Ashwani as a raw talent with average pace but tremendous drive.
“We had to stop him from overtraining,” Vajinder shared. “He always wanted to bowl more than 10 overs in the nets. His work ethic is unmatched.”
Over time, Ashwani improved significantly, increasing his speed from 130 kmph to nearly 140 kmph and learning to swing the ball into right-handers — a skill he showcased by dismantling Russell’s stumps.
A Humble Background and a Relentless Spirit
Coming from modest beginnings, Ashwani’s home still has unpainted walls. But that never stopped his ambition. Former Mumbai pacer Avishkar Salvi noted Ashwani’s consistent presence in Punjab’s state nets, saying, “He bowled every day, week after week. His rise is a testament to his perseverance.”
Despite a low-key Ranji Trophy debut at age 17 and limited domestic opportunities due to fierce competition in Punjab, Ashwani never gave up.
Scouted by Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians' talent scouts, known for discovering stars like Jasprit Bumrah, spotted Ashwani’s potential early. He now shares the dressing room with rising stars like Vignesh Puthur and international players who see promise in him.
Teammate Ryan Rickelton described Ashwani as a bowler “quicker than you think” and praised his ability to swing the ball and execute strategies under pressure.
What Lies Ahead
Experts believe Ashwani has the potential to go far. Salvi emphasizes that maintaining consistency across IPL venues and adapting to different conditions will be critical to his growth.
“He must adjust to various batsmen and pitches. If he does, he could go the distance,” Salvi stated.
Read More: Punjab Kings Outclass Lucknow Super Giants by 8 Wickets with Dominant All-Round Performance
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