Ashwani Kumar's historical IPL debut helps Mumbai thrash Kolkata

MUMBAI: Mumbai Indians registered their first win of the season by defeating Kolkata Knight Riders by 8 wickets. The former champions took total control of the game, which was held under the lights at Wankhede Stadium. Mumbai chased the small target of 117 runs set by KKR in 12.5 overs for the loss of just two wickets. Wicketkeeper Ryan Rickleton was the top scorer with a half-century.

Mumbai lost only the wickets of former captain Rohit Sharma 13 (12) and English batter Will Jacks 16 (17). Rickleton, who scored a half-century, remained unbeaten on 62 runs off 41 balls, with four fours and five sixes. Suryakumar Yadav remained unbeaten on 27 runs off nine balls as Mumbai cruised to an easy win. Andre Russell took both wickets for Kolkata.

Kolkata lost the toss and elected to bat first, ending their innings at 116 runs in 16.2 overs. Left-arm pacer Ashwani Kumar, on his IPL debut, ripped apart the KKR batting lineup. The player took four wickets for 24 runs in three overs.

Trent Boult got the innings off to a good start by taking opener Sunil Narine for 0(2) in the very first over of the innings. In the second over, another opener, Quinton de Kock, was dismissed by Deepak Chahar for 1(3). KKR found themselves on the defensive after captain Ajinkya Rahane 11(7) and Ankrish Raghuvanshi 26(16) returned to the pavilion in quick succession.

Ashwani Kumar started his IPL debut by dismissing Rahane on his very first ball. Ashwani also scripted a record by becoming the first Indian player to take four wickets on an IPL debut. KKR collapsed with the dismissal of Venkatesh Iyer 3(9), Rinku Singh 17(14) and Manish Pandey 19(14), who came as an impact player. With Andre Russell also falling for 5(11), Kolkata’s fate was sealed.

Deepak Chahar took two wickets for Mumbai, while Trent Boult, Hardik Pandya, Mitchell Santner and Malayali player Vignesh Puthur took one wicket each.