Ashwani Kumar is an Indian cricketer, a left-arm fast bowler from Punjab, India. He played for Punjab in domestic cricket and was the top wicket-taker in the 2023 Sher-e-Punjab T20 tournament.
In the 2025 IPL auction, the Mumbai Indians bought him for ₹30 lakh. He debuted his IPL on March 31, 2025, against the Kolkata Knight Riders. On his very first ball, he took the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane. He finished the match with 4 wickets for 24 runs, dismissing Rinku Singh, Manish Pandey, and Andre Russell.
Early Life and Domestic Career
Ashwani Kumar was born on 29 August 2001 in Jhanjeri, a small village in Mohali, Punjab. He grew up in a cricket-loving family, and his parents, Satnam Singh and Sarabjit Kaur, encouraged him to play the sport.
Ashwani Kumar made his domestic debut in the 2019–20 Ranji Trophy for Punjab. Later, he played in the 2021–22 Vijay Hazare Trophy and the 2022 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Even with few chances, he showed his talent.
In 2024, he performed well in the Sher-E-Punjab T20 tournament, catching the attention of Mumbai Indians' scouts. His skill in bowling yorkers and slower balls in the final overs helped him get selected for the IPL 2025 auction.
IPL 2025 Journey with Mumbai Indians
Ashwani Kumar had a dream IPL debut, taking the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane with his very first ball. He replaced Satyanarayana Raju in the Mumbai Indians' playing XI and proved his worth by dismissing Rahane, Rinku Singh, Manish Pandey, and Andre Russell. He became the first Indian bowler to take four wickets on his IPL debut.
Ashwani impressed in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 tournament and was bought by the Mumbai Indians for ₹30 lakh in the IPL 2025 auction. In 2024, he was with Punjab Kings but didn’t play a match.
He made his T20 debut for Punjab in the 2022 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, playing four matches and taking three wickets. He has also played two First-Class and four List A matches.
In the match, Mumbai Indians won the toss and chose to bowl first. Rohit Sharma started as an Impact Substitute, while MI handed debuts to Ashwani Kumar and Vignesh Puthur. KKR brought back Sunil Narine, replacing Moeen Ali.
Bowling Speed and Style
Ashwani Kumar is a left-arm medium-fast bowler known for his ability to hit speeds of around 135 km/h. His arsenal includes:
- Sharp yorkers that trouble batsmen in the death overs.
- A deceptive back-of-the-hand slower delivery.
- Consistent accuracy in the wide yorker zone.
His control over variations and ability to read the game under pressure make him a valuable asset for the Mumbai Indians.
Personal Life and Net Worth
Ashwani Kumar comes from a humble yet supportive background. His parents have been his biggest motivators, ensuring that he receives the right guidance and support. As of IPL 2025, his net worth is estimated to have grown significantly following his INR 30 lakh contract with the Mumbai Indians.
