New Delhi: Ashutosh Sharma etched his name in IPL history with a sensational unbeaten 66 off just 31 balls, leading Delhi Capitals (DC) to a jaw-dropping one-wicket victory against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Visakhapatnam.
The game began with LSG posting a formidable 209/8, powered by Mitchell Marsh‘s explosive 72 off 36 balls and Nicholas Pooran‘s blistering 75 off 30 balls. DC’s bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav (2/20) and Mitchell Starc (3/42), managed to restrict LSG in the death overs. However, DC’s chase started disastrously, collapsing to 7/3 and later 65/5. Enter Ashutosh Sharma, who turned the tide with his fearless batting.
Ashutosh’s partnerships with Tristan Stubbs (34 off 22 balls) and debutant Vipraj Nigam (39 off 15 balls) were pivotal. With DC needing 62 runs off the last 30 balls, Ashutosh shifted gears, smashing five fours and five sixes to seal the victory. His calm demeanor under pressure was evident as he stated, “I told myself that if he takes a single, I will finish it with a six. I had full confidence in my ability.”
The cricketing fraternity was quick to shower praise. Kevin Pietersen, DC’s mentor, lauded Ashutosh’s mindset, saying, “The game is never over until Ashutosh is batting. His belief and composure are extraordinary.” Sunil Gavaskar called the innings “phenomenal,” adding, “This knock will be remembered for a long time, not just for the quality of stroke play but for the high-pressure situation.”
Former Australian captain Michael Clarke remarked, “By the end of this IPL, Ashutosh’s innings will be among the top five of the tournament.”
DC skipper Axar Patel praised Ashutosh’s resilience, saying, “He has a tiger mentality. Even with a cut finger, he chose to play and delivered a match-winning performance.” Vipraj Nigam, who supported Ashutosh in the chase, said, “Ashutosh’s calmness under pressure inspired me to keep going.”
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Ashutosh dedicated his Player of the Match award to his mentor, Shikhar Dhawan, saying, “I want to dedicate this award to Shikhar paaji. He has always believed in me.” Reflecting on his journey, Ashutosh shared, “Last year, I missed finishing a few games. I worked hard, visualized these moments, and believed that if I play till the last over, anything is possible.”
The victory marked a dramatic shift in DC’s winning probability, which stood at a mere 1.46% when they were 116/6. Ashutosh’s heroics not only secured the win but also cemented his reputation as one of IPL’s finest finishers.