Watch: Tilak Varma's second-attempt stunner helps Ashwani Kumar create IPL history; Hardik Pandya goes crazy

The young Mumbai Indians (MI) batsman Tilak Varma grabbed a stunning catch on the second attempt to help the debutant pacer Ashwani Kumar get his maiden IPL wicket on his first ball.

Ashwani Kumar, who is a 23-year-old left-arm medium pacer from Punjab, made his debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Mumbai Indians on Monday, March 31 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Also Read: Watch: Trent Boult demolishes 'bunny' Sunil Narine’s stumps in MI vs KKR clash

Tilak Varma helps Ashwani Kumar bag a wicket on the first ball

Ashwani Kumar was introduced into the attack by skipper Hardik Pandya in the 4th over of the innings. He started off his spell with a fuller-length ball wide outside off-stump to the Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Ajinkya Rahane.

The KKR skipper Rahane threw his bat at the ball, and it flew towards the deep backward point where Tilak Varma fumbled the catch on the first attempt as the ball popped out of his hand.

However, Tilak Varma showed good reflexes as he turned back, kept his eyes on the ball, and grabbed it with his right hand to complete a stunning catch.

By dismissing Ajinkya Rahane for 7-ball 11, Ashwani Kumar got his maiden IPL wicket. He became the second Mumbai Indians bowler in history to take a wicket on the first ball of IPL debut.

The first pacer to achieve this feat for Mumbai Indians was Alzarri Joseph, who dismissed David Warner in 2019 on his first ball. Overall, Ashwani is the 10th bowler to pick a wicket on the first ball on his IPL debut.

Looking at Ashwani Kumar create history, the Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya was absolutely delighted as he was seen jumping like a kid to celebrate the wicket.

Watch: Tilak Varma's stunner helps Ashwani Kumar create history; Hardik Pandya goes wild

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— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) March 31, 2025

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— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) March 31, 2025

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