India, March 31 -- Five-time champions Mumbai Indians handed the IPL debut to Ashwani Kumar in the all-important clash against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday, and the left-arm pacer didn't disappoint. In search of a first win of the season, Mumbai decided to give Punjab's Ashwani a big shot, and he made an instant impact with a wicket on the first ball of his IPL debut.

The left-arm pacer was right on the money and got the better of KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane when Hardik Pandya introduced him into the attack in the 4th over. He bowled a full-length delivery outside off stump, and Rahane went aerial to break the shackles but found Tilak Varma at deep backward point. Varma almost dropped it but held onto it after a lit...