Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya was seen embracing a mentor’s role in heartwarming fashion after young pacer Ashwani Kumar delivered a dream debut against Kolkata Knight Riders. The 24-year-old pacer grabbed headlines with a sensational 4/24 spell, helping MI seal their first win of the IPL 2025 season, and immediately became the toast of the town.
After the game, cameras captured a thoughtful exchange between Pandya and Ashwani — one of those rare, behind-the-scenes moments that remind us what IPL is really about. Pandya, known for his calm demeanor and leadership, offered the youngster some golden words of wisdom.
“Be well-prepared. Put in your effort and stick to the plan. Don’t carry expectations into a game — just execute what you’ve worked on,” Hardik Pandya told him. He stressed that success comes from discipline and consistency, not from chasing results.
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“Why did you succeed today? Because you stuck to your plan, bowled tight lines and lengths. Even when you bowl well, success isn’t guaranteed — so just trust your process,” he added, in a clip shared by the franchise.
Just a message for every young & budding cricketer out there 🗣💙#MumbaiIndians #PlayLikeMumbai #TATAIPL #LSGvMI pic.twitter.com/K9Pawlg1tT
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 3, 2025
Ashwani’s performance was historic — the first Indian to claim four wickets on his IPL debut — and MI fans will be hoping this is just the beginning. The league has often produced promising talents, but many have faded after early sparks. Pandya clearly wants to shield Ashwani from that fate by keeping him grounded.
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Interestingly, ahead of the match, Ashwani Kumar revealed that Pandya calmed his nerves with a humorous yet motivating reminder: “Hardik bhai said, ‘You’re from Punjab. Punjabis are fearless. Just go and scare the opponents.’” The youngster, who jokingly mentioned he’d only had a banana before his debut game, credited his captain for helping him stay relaxed and confident.
As Mumbai Indians eye a turnaround this season, the rise of Ashwani Kumar — under the guidance of a matured Pandya — could be the storyline they rally behind.
