Mumbai Indians pacer Ashwani Kumar on Monday became just the sixth bowler to pick four wickets or more on Indian Premier League debut during his side’s match against Kolkata Knight Riders in Mumbai.
Ashwani started with the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane on his first delivery. He then claimed Rinku Singh and Manish Pandey in his second over before nabbing Andre Russell in the third.
No other Indian bowler has registered a better spell on their IPL debut.
Alzarri Joseph holds the record for the best figures on debut in IPL. He claimed six for 12 for MI against Sunrisers Hyderabad during the 2019 season. This is also the best innings-figures in IPL.
Andrew Tye’s five for 17, for Gujarat Lions against Rising Pune Supergiant, is only other instance of a bowler picking a fifer on debut.
Best figures on IPL debut
- Alzarri Joseph (MI) – 6/12 vs SRH (2019)
- Andrew Tye (GL) – 5/17 vs RPS (2017)
- Shoaib Akhtar (KKR) – 4/11 vs DD (2008)
- Kevon Cooper (RR) – 4/26 vs KXIP (2012)