Mumbai Indians Secure First IPL 2025 Victory, Rickelton Hails Suryakumar’s Brilliance
Mumbai, April 1, 2025 – Mumbai Indians celebrated their first victory of the IPL 2025 season, fueled by a stellar bowling performance and a composed chase, punctuated by Ryan Rickelton’s enthusiastic praise of Suryakumar Yadav’s unorthodox batting.
Match Summary
Mumbai Indians convincingly defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium, securing a comfortable eight-wicket victory. The victory came after a shaky start to the season, with two consecutive losses.
Rickelton's Appreciation for Suryakumar
Following the match, Mumbai Indians batter Ryan Rickelton expressed immense admiration for Suryakumar Yadav's batting artistry. He described Yadav’s shots as “stuff that I can only dream of,” highlighting a particular scoop shot over fine leg that left KKR bowler Andre Russell visibly stunned. “I just said to Quinny when he walked past that he (Suryakumar) is a joke. Stuff that I can only dream of,” Rickelton remarked in a post-match interview.
Key Moments of the Match
- Kolkata’s Struggle: Kolkata Knight Riders faltered, being bowled out for a paltry 116.
- Ashwani Kumar’s Dream Debut: Young Ashwani Kumar from Punjab’s Jhanjeri made a sensational debut, claiming a record-breaking four wickets for just 24 runs in his three overs. He became the first Indian to achieve this feat in an IPL debut.
- Rickelton’s Steady Innings: Ryan Rickelton anchored the chase with an unbeaten 62, showcasing his ability to build an innings under pressure. He initially struggled to connect with the ball but eventually capitalized on the opportunities presented.
Suryakumar Closes Out the Chase
Suryakumar Yadav sealed the victory by hitting a six off Andre Russell in the 13th over, showcasing his trademark aggressive finishing.
Rickelton's Reflection on His Innings
Rickelton acknowledged the challenging conditions and his initial difficulty in timing the ball. “Took my time, couldn’t lay bat on ball to be honest, had to wait for my opportunity. The ball was nibbling around. Chatting to the guys in South Africa, it did a bit and looking forward to maximizing on the pace which was offered today,' he explained.
FAQs
Q: What was unique about Ashwani Kumar’s debut?
A: Ashwani Kumar became the first Indian to take four wickets on his IPL debut.
Q: How did Ryan Rickelton describe Suryakumar Yadav’s batting?
A: Rickelton described Suryakumar's batting as “stuff that I can only dream of”.
Q: What was the target set by Kolkata Knight Riders?
A: Kolkata set a target of 117 runs.