How Did Ashwani Respond to MI's Challenges, Says Jayawardene?

New Delhi, May 31 (NationPress) In a thrilling IPL 2025 Eliminator, Rohit Sharma's impressive 81 runs and Jasprit Bumrah's economical 1-27 were crucial in the Mumbai Indians' 20-run victory over the Gujarat Titans. However, it was the uncapped bowler Ashwani Kumar who shone with his remarkable performance, taking 1-28.

As the match reached a critical stage following Bumrah's precise yorker that dismissed Washington Sundar, Ashwani held his nerve, delivering two tight overs of nine runs each before conceding just three runs in the final over, securing MI's advancement to Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Mahela Jayawardene, the head coach, praised Ashwani for his exceptional response to the challenges faced during the tournament. He stated, "We have provided him with straightforward strategies to avoid confusion. Many players on the field, like Bumrah, Deepak Chahar, and Hardik Pandya, engage with him. Ultimately, it comes down to execution under pressure, and he has shown impressive potential."

“This isn't his first time being utilized tactically against opponents. If he continues to perform in high-stakes matches, his confidence will grow. What you observe now is just the beginning; there is much more to Ashwani. He is a highly talented bowler, and we intend to nurture his skills in the right direction,” added Jayawardene.

“From the very first season, his response to the challenges has been commendable. Although his experience in state cricket is limited, we recognized his skill right away,” Jayawardene remarked after the match.

He also mentioned that with dew affecting the pitch during their defense of 228/5, MI decided to focus on yorkers instead of length balls due to the conditions. “We believed batting first against the GT was strategic. Our batting was excellent and set a solid total. Securing an early wicket of Shubman Gill was significant,” he stated.

“Everything was going according to plan, but midway through, the dew set in, and we struggled to maintain our grip. We adapted our strategy to prioritize yorkers since length balls were slipping through. The last ten overs were challenging, but our experienced players maintained composure and executed our plans well,” stated Jayawardene.

When asked about MI's ability to win under pressure, Jayawardene emphasized the importance of fostering a winning culture within the team. “With a winning culture, it becomes easier to replicate success. Our core group has vast experience, which instills a winning mentality among the players,” he remarked.

“Players who have achieved success play a significant role. My aim is to mentor the newcomers in our squad. Following the auction, we welcomed several new faces, and it’s essential to convey our operational ethos and instill the belief that we can overcome any situation,” he concluded.