IPL 2025: Ashutosh Sharma’s Phenomenal Knock Seals A Victory for Delhi Capitals
The match number 4 between Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants, held in Vishakhapatnam was what the game of cricket turns out to be.
Smeared in unpredictability and thrill until the last over, the former and current team of skipper Rishabh Pant went to head-to-head, with DC ultimately snatching the victory from LSG’s grasp.
Though there were multiple moments that made this thumping win possible, one man who took the cream away and made it happen was the young and dynamic Ashutosh Sharma. His 66 runs in 31 balls in DC’s IPL 2025 season opener was the show stealer.
Sharma was seen struggling to time the ball initially after scoring a run a ball for 20 but later went berserk in the last three overs in the chase, scoring his next 46 runs in just 11 balls.
He played a crucial role in a game where the pendulum swung occasionally in the favor of both sides. Ashutosh put on a super show for cricket lovers across the globe, by staying till the end and ending the innings with a winning six for the DC fans.
The game for the majority of part looked in LSG’s destiny, but Ashutosh single-handedly turned the tides in his favour. In the 18th over, he smashed the ball into the stands, later followed it up with a boundary and finished the over with a solid six.
In the final over, Kuldeep Yadav’s run out again brought it to an interesting edge, since hitting boundaries were the need of the hour. But Ashutosh was undeterred and kept playing true to his belief with his onslaught.
Pant called in left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed to bowl the last over of the second innings. On the first ball itself, Pant missed the opportunity to stump but decided to take a review for LBW.
With Mohit’s single, Ashutosh came on strike finished it in style with a sensational six straight down the ground, to singlehandedly clinch a one-wicket heist against Lucknow and a winning start for Delhi this edition.
Post the nail-biting finish, the star dedicated his ‘Player of the Match’ award to mentor and former India captain Shikhar Dhawan. He was seen speaking to Dhawan on video call, with the retired Indian player congratulating Sharma on his clinical performance.
https://twitter.com/DelhiCapitals/status/1904464253475758566
For the unversed, Dhawan and Ashutosh played together at Punjab Kings (PBKS) last season, before the former announced his retirement from the game.
“I learned from the last year because there were a few games where I couldn’t finish the game, so I have been focusing on finishing games, even in domestic cricket. I have a lot of belief in myself that if I play till the last over and the last ball, anything can happen,” he said after winning the Player of the Match award.
The hard-hitting middle order batter, bought in for INR 3.80 Cr in the mega-auction, has had humble beginnings before stepping to professional cricket. His journey has been a testament to his determination and passion for the game. His exposure in the Railways Team has given him the reputation of being a match-winner and also earned the admiration of cricket enthusiasts.
This unimaginable victory will give the right confidence to them going forward as DC managed to win an almost lost encounter against a formidable LSG.
By: Tulika Agarwal
