Indian quick bowler Mohammad Siraj keeps a six-letter word on his phone lock screen—“BELIEF”. Last night, Ashwani Kumar turned that same idea into action. His spell of 4/24 in Ahmedabad against Gujarat Titans added a fresh chapter to Mumbai Indians’ season story in the IPL. While Tilak Verma was named Player of the Match for his decisive knock, Kumar made the key difference with a hard-hitting, wicket-taking burst in what was his first appearance of the campaign. For the youngster from Punjab, it was also his second four-wicket haul in the league after an earlier breakthrough—this time, he delivered when Mumbai needed a spark.
Mumbai’s turnaround: mindset after a run of defeats
Speaking late after the match, Ashwani offered a glimpse into how the dressing room held itself together following a stretch of losses. He said the team kept scrutinising where things had gone wrong and worked closely with the coaching staff to fix those mistakes. He also stressed that the most important part was that their mindset never slipped, even when results did not follow their plans. Mumbai’s internal environment stayed upbeat, which helped them remain confident. Ashwani noted that the team knew scores in the 190–200 range were likely, but they stayed composed and stuck to their approach despite the pressure.
His message was clear: there was pressure, yet it did not get to their thinking. In the middle overs and in crucial phases, that belief turned into execution—especially when Ashwani was handed the moment.
Impact substitute makes the difference in Ahmedabad
Ashwani entered the game as an impact substitute against Gujarat Titans and immediately took control. The left-arm pace attack disrupted Gujarat’s batting rhythm, removing key names and breaking up the middle order that the visitors needed to build momentum. By taking those wickets at the right times, he gave Mumbai Indians the control they had been searching for during this IPL.
A four-wicket haul with familiar impact
- This was Ashwani’s second four-wicket performance in the IPL.
- His first came on debut last season, also finishing with another 4/24 that brought him to wider attention quickly.
- In only eight IPL matches, Ashwani has already taken 15 wickets at an average of 17.07, highlighting his ability to hit hard in key spells.
The spell that dismantled Gujarat’s batting plan
Ashwani’s wickets arrived like decisive blows, each one chipping away at Gujarat Titans’ options. He struck early by sending Shubman Gill back after forcing a mistimed shot that went into the deep. Soon after, Rahul Tewatia was removed when a probing length beat him. When he also accounted for Shahrukh Khan, Gujarat lost their last well-established batting threat. To complete the shutdown, Rashid Khan fell while trying to generate a big shot—closing the door on any late comeback.
Preparation, adaptation and a calculated investment
For Ashwani, the performance was not something that arrived by chance. He described how he worked on specific skills—especially yorkers and swing—during net sessions. He said that even when he wasn’t playing, he stayed prepared and kept working, with the idea that whenever an opportunity came, he would be ready to deliver at once. That preparation, he suggested, showed in the way he attacked the deck hard and managed to adjust lengths, looking in rhythm with the conditions from ball one.
He also explained how he approached the pitch in Ahmedabad. While he described having plans going into a match, he pointed out that T20 cricket is ultimately about adapting. Once you see the wicket and understand the conditions, he said, you have to adjust your execution. For Ashwani, matching what the surface demanded was central to his success. That adaptability, in turn, translated into disciplined bowling rather than risky decision-making.
How Mumbai’s scouting paid off
- Mumbai Indians bought Ashwani for 30 lakh in the 2025 IPL auction.
- The recruitment was based on his capacity to bowl yorkers and variations, identified through scouting in Punjab’s domestic T20 cricket.
- Two seasons on, the investment is already producing returns, moving him from a dream debut to another match-defining spell.
- Ashwani Kumar is building a reputation as a wicket-taker who performs particularly well when the match situation turns tense.
And if his own words are any indication, the biggest takeaway is not only the numbers. It is the mindset behind them—no panic, just belief.
