Mitchell Owen: Meet the big-hitting Aussie who fell for a duck on his IPL debut

Mitchell Owen made his IPL debut for PBKS against RR on Sunday. However, the 23-year-old had a forgettable start, falling for a two-ball duck Kwena Maphaka.

Updated on: May 18, 2025, 18:25:05 IST

By Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan

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Australia’s Mitchell Owen made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut on Sunday, playing for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) against the Rajasthan Royals (RR). However, the 23-year-old all-rounder had a tough start to his IPL journey, dismissed for a two-ball duck by young left-arm pacer Kwena Maphaka. Owen was brought in as a replacement for star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who was ruled out of the remainder of the 2025 season due to injury.

Punjab Kings' Mitchell Owen walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal during the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket match between Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on May 18, 2025. (AFP)

Who is Mitchell Owen?

Mitchell Owen is a promising 23-year-old all-rounder from Tasmania, Australia. He rose to prominence earlier this year in the Big Bash League (BBL), where he represented the Hobart Hurricanes.

Owen made headlines by smashing the fastest century in BBL history—reaching the milestone in just 39 balls. He went on to score a blistering 108 off 42 deliveries in the final against Sydney Thunder, leading his team to the title. He finished the tournament as the top run-scorer with 452 runs in 11 innings.

Before the IPL, Owen played three matches for the Paarl Royals in the SA20 2025. He also represented Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Also Read: Sanju Samson's selfless act for Vaibhav Suryavanshi on IPL 2025 return: 'If someone has done something extraordinary...'

PBKS vs RR

In Sunday’s IPL 2025 clash, PBKS opted to bat first. The team was under pressure at 34/1 when Owen came to the crease. Facing Kwena Maphaka, Owen attempted an aggressive shot off a back-of-length delivery but ended up skying a top edge. RR captain Sanju Samson made no mistake, taking a comfortable catch to send the debutant back to the pavilion.

Unwanted IPL Record

With his dismissal, Owen became the fourth Australian player to register a duck on IPL debut. The others on this list include Ben Laughlin, Ashton Turner, and Jhye Richardson.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan leads the US Desk at Hindustan Times, where she writes, strategises coverage, and ensures quality across all beats. With eight years of experience covering US news for leading publications, she has reported extensively on politics, entertainment, and sports. Vaishnavi holds a graduate degree in English, Journalism, and Psychology, and completed her PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the Manorama School of Communication, where she was awarded the prestigious Mammen Mappillai Award for Best Outgoing Student. She began her career at the International Business Times (US Edition), covering US breaking news, politics, and entertainment. She later joined Opoyi, reporting across all beats, including US sports and trending stories. Prior to Hindustan Times, she served as World Lead at Times Now News, covering comprehensive world news and events. Vaishnavi has expertise in politics, entertainment, and breaking news, and enjoys tackling stories across a wide range of topics. Beyond the newsroom, she is an avid traveller, a foodie who loves exploring new restaurants, and a pop culture enthusiast who enjoys watching latest shows and films. She also enjoys engaging in debates and discussions on Reddit.Read More

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