Punjab batter Mandeep Singh has revealed that Mumbai Indians’ rookie pacer Ashwani Kumar turned down a job opportunity in 2024 to keep his dream of playing cricket alive. Kumar was grabbed by Mumbai Indians for INR 30 lakhs in the IPL 2025 mega auction.
The left-arm seamer didn’t have a lot of domestic experience but impressed in Punjab’s domestic T20 league, Sher-E-Punjab. Kumar got his big stage opportunity as he made his IPL debut against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday.
The 23-year from Mohali returned with impressive figures of 4-24 in the three overs he bowled, accounting for Ajinkya Rahane (on the first ball he bowled), Rinku Singh, Manish Pandey, and Andre Russell. Kumar bagged the best bowling figures by an Indian bowler on IPL debut and became the first Indian bowler to take four wickets on debut.
Mandeep Singh told the Times of India, “Ashwani comes from a very humble background, yet he regularly traveled to Mohali for practice. His determination was evident when he turned down a job opportunity in 2024 that would have provided financial stability but required him to leave Punjab.”
“He [Ashwani] told me, ‘I am eager to fight on and play for Punjab. I don’t want to give up.’ His performances in Punjab’s domestic T20 league, Sher-E-Punjab, last year proved to be a turning point, as he impressed many with his death bowling and composure under pressure.”
On the other hand, Kumar was delighted to make a dream debut for Mumbai Indians and shared his happiness after grabbing his chance with both hands.
He said in the post-match presentation after bagging the Player of the Match award, “It is a big thing for me that I got this opportunity and that I am getting this award. Never thought about this, just did my process and happy (to get this award). I am from Jhanjheri in Mohali district – to come from there to here, that is the result of my hard work and by god’s grace I am here. I was confident, but I was a little nervous as well, thinking about what will happen.”
Mumbai Indians will next take on Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Friday.
