Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight riders on Monday 31. March wrapped only a little over 29 years. Dave Wankhede, who enjoyed his long weekend for Eida, witnessing the rise of two newcomers by Mi, who absolutely destroyed Krk in the first home play of the season.
Ashwani Kumar claimed 4 goals on his debutThe best characters of the Indian stimulus in the debut of IPL, while Ryan Rickelton showed his growing reputation as a brilliant 62 out of 41 balls. The duo first joined to unload the KRK for a modest 116 run, and then chased the target for only 12.5 overs.
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Real star: Wankhede Pitch
In the collision, the VS KKR really emerged Wankhede playground. Unlike flat songs that usually appear in IPL, this surface offered something for everyone: the movement of the seam for the Pacers, turned for spinners and ran behind the dough – if they applied.
WankHhed is one of these places where you need to respect the pitch in the first 2 overs and posts that you can enjoy its advantage – viralsh (@cheeku218) 31 March 2025
This playground was a sharp contrast to the “road” roads that dominated the IPL because the rule of the impact player was introduced. Places such as Hyderabad, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata and even Chennai have repeatedly seen 220-230+ sums this season. When the teams focused on limiting high scores, the Turners – Tactics Employed Chennai and Lucknow resorted last year. So far, in 2025 only Chennai has created such playgrounds.
In the middle of the growing dissatisfaction with the unfamiliar Mumbai playgrounds introduced the jewel of the track in the season – a surface that rewarded the skill over the brutal force.
What did the playground special?
At the beginning of the IPL season, WankHhede had a thin layer of grass and offered an early seam for Pacers. Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar and the debutant Ashwani Kumar struck the first crossing and using a zipper from the surface.
The KKR collapsed on 4 goals inside the powerplay and couldn’t adapt.
Wankhede easily the best place in India. Sports playground, which offers the right balance between the bat and the ball. – (@arrestjude) 31 March 2025
Spinners Mitchell Santner and Vignesh Puthur also found bites as they flew the ball, showing that the playground is not just for Pacers.
The second shifts were even more dramatic. Harshit Rana defeated Rohit Sharma with a vicious Inswinger, while Spencer Johnson was troubled by Rickelton at a pace and a gentle movement. But Rickelton, dubbed the “junior quinton de kock”, weathed the storm and then attacked with pace and bounce. Later, Suryakumar Yadav set out for 27 out of 9 balls, proving that the playground has no demons – just the demand for patience against the new ball.
Plan for IPL?
This match was a perfect advertisement for a balanced cricket T20. Playground allowed:
- Pacers mixed without being afraid of being “covered with every ball”.
- Spinners to be rewarded for Guili.
- Batters prospered – if they respect the conditions.
KKR’s Ramandeep Singh summed up perfectly:
“It was a goal where you had to settle. But as soon as your eyes were seated, it was a goal where you could score today.”
IPL, or we should say, transmitters – they should take note of. The T20 cricket does not have to be a dough monopoly. Hrita Wankhede hit the ideal balance and let real skills shine. Quick pitchners could attack, the sproxes could produce and the dough can dominate – but only after they have earned the right.
Isn’t that what fans really want?
Published on:
April 1 2025
Tune
