'It's All Because Of The Scouts': Hardik Pandya Heralds MI Scouting System For Discovering Ashwani Kumar
Left-arm pacer Kumar became the first Indian to take four wickets on IPL debut and help restrict KKR, who were bowled out for 116 runs in 16.2 overs.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya credited Mumbai Indians’ scouting team for their knack of finding diamonds in the rough after debutant left-arm pacer Ashwani Kumar stole the show with a fantastic four-fer on his IPL debut, en route to MI’s 8-wicket win over KKR at Wankhede on Monday.
Left-arm pacer Kumar became the first Indian to take four wickets on IPL debut and help restrict KKR, who were bowled out for 116 runs in 16.2 overs.
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Ashwani’s rich returns of 4/24 heralded the domination shown by MI’s seamers, after which it was all Ryan Rickleton who led MI to a home win with ease with an unbeaten 62*.
“Very satisfying to win, especially at home. The way we did it, as a group, everyone chipped in – can’t be happier. It’s always a challenge to pick one guy here and there. With our team it’s pretty sorted with the players who we are backing," stated Pandya in the post-match interview.
“This wicket just offered a bit more and we thought Ashwani could come in and bowl the way he bowled. First of all, it’s all because of the scouts. All MI scouts have gone all the places and picked these young kids," Pandya said after the team’s first win of the season.
“We played a practice game and it looked like he had that zip and late swing. He had a different action and he is a leftie.
“The way he took that wicket of (Andre) Russell was a very crucial wicket. And especially, how he started with that catch of Quinton. It was great to see a fast bowler jumping that high," Pandya lauded the debutante.
There was no doubting the MI batters, who got off to a blazing start in the chase, thanks to an unbeaten 62* from Ryan Rickleton. KKR had no hope, despite Varun Chakravarthy’s attempts to slow down the MI scoring.
Rickleton finally found his stride, dominating every bowler he faced, to bring up his maiden IPL fifty. Suryakumar Yadav came in to add the finishing touches, nothing up 27* off 9 balls, and finishing off in style with a huge six off Russell.
With their win, MI now shoots up to sixth in the table, while KKR drops down to dead last in the IPL 2025 standings currently.
(with agency inputs)
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