'Outstanding' Ashwani Kumar: From forgotten name at the toss to record-setter on IPL debut

Ashwani Kumar enjoyed a stellar start to his life in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The left-arm seamer struck first ball and finished with four wickets by the end of his spell against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday.
The young seamer from Jhanjheri, Mohali, posted figures of 4/24 in his three-over spell and played a key role in restricting KKR to 116. The small total was easily chased down by Ryan Rickelton and Suryakumar Yadav's blistering knocks.
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"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," said Ashwani after collecting the Player of the Match.

The 23-year-old accounted for the KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane, Rinkhu Singh, Manish Pandey and the powerful Andre Russell in a blistering display that also included a stellar catch of Quinton de Kock.

The four-wicket haul vaulted Ashwani, who was bought for Rs 30 lakhs at the auction, into the record books. He became the first Indian bowler to take a four-wicket haul on IPL debut.
Ashwani had skipped lunch due to the nervous jitters. He revealed all he consumed before the game was a banana. Nervous or not, the impact was felt on ball one.
On the very first ball, he had Rahane dismissed, caught at deep point. Rinku Singh was also caught at the same spot in the second over. Manish Pandey walked three balls later. Russell became the fourth and final victim in a sublime show.

MI captain Hardik Pandya credited the scouts for yet another find, Vignesh Puthur had grabbed the limelight after taking three wickets against Chennai Super Kings, albeit in a losing cause.
"We thought Ashwani can come in on this pitch and bowl the way he bowled. It is all the scouts - they picked him," said Pandya. "They have gone to all the places and picked these young kids. We played a practice game, he had that zip, that late swing, something off the wicket, a different action and he was a leftie."

To think Ashwani's evening started by watching his skipper Pandya almost forget his name at the coin toss. When asked by presenter Ravi Shastri to disclose his playing XI at the toss, Pandya had a brief brain fade.

"Will (Jacks) comes back and we have a debutant... What's his name... Ashwani," the MI skipper said with a smile.
Not so long after, the bowler from Punjab made sure his name was on everyone's lips at the Wankhede Stadium and in lakhs of households across the world.
Ashwani Kumar stats on IPL debut

4/24 - Ashwani became the first Indian bowler to take a four-wicket haul on IPL debut.
Only six bowlers, including Ashwani now, have taken four or more wickets on IPL debut. The list includes Alzarri Joseph (6/12), Andrew Tye (5/17), Shoaib Akhtar (4/11).
15 - Number of players, including Ashwani, who have struck on their first ball in the IPL. Matheesha Pathirana was the last overall and Hanuma Vihari was the last Indian.