Mumbai Indians (MI) marked their first home game of the TATA IPL 2025 season with a commanding eight-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 12 at the Wankhede Stadium. Debutant Ashwani Kumar stole the show with a sensational 4/24, while Ryan Rickelton's unbeaten 62 off 41 balls ensured MI chased down 117 with ease in just 12.5 overs.

A different 'Monday Blues' for @mipaltan 💙#MI register a convincing 8⃣-wicket victory over #KKR and are up and away in #TATAIPL 👌💙

Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/iEwchzEpDk#MIvKKR pic.twitter.com/FtEfP0HDtJ

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 31, 2025

After winning the toss, MI skipper Hardik Pandya opted to bowl first, a decision that paid off immediately. Trent Boult struck in the very first over, knocking over Sunil Narine for a duck with a perfect delivery that rattled the middle stump. Deepak Chahar followed up in the next over, removing Quinton de Kock and leaving KKR in early trouble.

 

 

 

 

 

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Captain Ajinkya Rahane and young Angkrish Raghuvanshi, both familiar with Mumbai conditions from domestic cricket, tried to stabilize the innings with a few crisp strokes. However, their resistance didn’t last long. Debutant Ashwani Kumar made an instant impact, dismissing Rahane on his very first IPL ball as Tilak Varma held onto a juggling catch at third man.

Chahar continued to build pressure, setting up Venkatesh Iyer beautifully before forcing an edge to the keeper in the final over of the powerplay. KKR were in deep trouble at 41/4 after six overs.

With wickets falling rapidly, Raghuvanshi looked like KKR’s best hope, but Pandya brought himself into the attack and sent the youngster packing with a sharp bouncer. KKR’s struggles deepened as Impact Player Manish Pandey joined Rinku Singh at the crease, only for Ashwani Kumar to strike again. The young pacer dismissed both Rinku and Manish in the 11th over. 

Ashwani wasn’t done yet. He cleaned up Andre Russell in his next over with a searing delivery, ensuring there was no late-order fightback from KKR. Vignesh Puthur dismissed Harshit Rana, and Mitchell Santner took the final wicket of Ramandeep Singh, who had briefly entertained with two sixes.

 

 

 

 

 

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KKR were bowled out for just 116 in 16.2 overs, with Ashwani Kumar finishing with remarkable figures of 4/24, the second-best by an MI bowler on IPL debut. 

Chasing 117, MI openers Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma made a confident start despite some early movement from KKR’s pacers, Harshit Rana and Spencer Johnson. The duo built a steady 46-run opening stand before Russell provided a breakthrough by dismissing Rohit.

Rickelton, however, remained unfazed. He took charge of the chase and brought up his maiden IPL fifty in style, smashing two consecutive sixes off Narine. MI cruised to 89/1 in 10 overs, with just 28 needed from 60 balls.

 

 

 

 

 

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Russell managed a second wicket by removing Will Jacks, but Suryakumar Yadav finished the game in his trademark aggressive style. He smashed a rapid 27 off just nine balls, sealing the win with a spectacular six over the keeper’s head. MI wrapped up the chase at 121/2 in just 12.5 overs.

 

 

 

 

 

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This dominant victory not only gave MI their first win of the season but also significantly boosted their Net Run Rate, propelling them from 10th to sixth place in the standings. Meanwhile, KKR slipped to the bottom of the table.

Check out the full scorecard here.