Ashutosh Sharma etched his name in the record books on March 24, 2025, leading the Delhi Capitals to a thrilling one-wicket victory over the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. The match took place at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, and it was a night to remember for the Capitals as they chased down a challenging target of 210 runs.
In a dramatic turn of events, Delhi Capitals found themselves in deep trouble at 65 runs for the loss of five wickets, struggling to keep up with the required run rate. However, Ashutosh Sharma, with an electrifying performance of 66 not out off just 31 deliveries, rewrote the narrative of the game. His batting was nothing short of brilliant, featuring a stunning blend of power and precision with five fours and five sixes.
Ashutosh's explosive innings came at a crucial time, propelling the team back into contention after the early collapse. He received support from debutant Vipraj Nigam, who contributed a valuable 39 runs from just 15 balls, forming a pivotal partnership that helped steer the Delhi innings back on course. Together, they forged a 55-run stand off just 22 deliveries for the seventh wicket, revitalizing the Capitals' chase.
As the match reached its closing stages, Ashutosh displayed great composure under pressure. With just five runs needed off four balls, he struck a mammoth six off the bowling of Shahbaz Ahmed, sealing the nail-biting victory for Delhi with only one wicket remaining. "I just wanted to execute whatever I have worked hard so far in the practice sessions. I am very pleased and I want to dedicate this award to my mentor, Shikhar Paaji (Dhawan), who is not here at the moment," Ashutosh said during the post-match presentation.
The beginnings of the match painted a different picture. Lucknow Super Giants, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, posted a staggering total of 209 runs, bolstered by impressive innings from Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran, who scored 72 and 75 runs, respectively, both at a strike rate exceeding 200. Yet, the euphoria of their innings was quickly overshadowed by the early downfall of the Capitals.
Delhi's batting lineup faltered drastically at the start of their innings, losing key players such as Jake Fraser-McGurk and Abhishek Porel within the first over, courtesy of Shardul Thakur's bowling. M Siddharth followed up with another breakthrough, dismissing Sameer Rizvi shortly thereafter. This precarious situation left the Capitals reeling at 7 for three, setting the stage for an uphill battle.
Despite the topsy-turvy start, Ashutosh Sharma's resolve and determination became the backbone of the Capitals' recovery. "Took the lessons from last year. Missed out on finishing the game on a couple of occasions in the previous season. The whole year I focused and visualised about it. Had the belief that if I play till the last over, anything can happen," he remarked, highlighting the mental preparation that contributed to his remarkable performance.
Indeed, it was Ashutosh's commitment to overcoming previous challenges that shone impressively throughout the match. He combined tactical aggression with patience, scoring 20 runs off 20 balls in the middle overs before launching a fierce offensive that culminated in his half-century.
Post-match, Ashutosh, who previously played under Shikhar Dhawan during his tenure with the Punjab Kings, made it a point to thank his mentor, attributing much of his success to Dhawan's guidance. "Well played to Vipraj. I asked him to keep hitting. He was very calm under pressure. Want to dedicate this award to my mentor, Shikhar paaji," he added, underscoring the mentorship that has shaped his career journey.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Delhi Capitals, being only the fifth one-wicket win recorded in IPL history where the match was not impacted by rain. The triumph not only boosts the team's morale but also sets a promising tone for their upcoming fixtures, including their next match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad scheduled for March 30, 2025.
As the IPL 2025 season progresses, fans await to see if Ashutosh Sharma can carry this momentum forward and lead the Capitals to further victories. His outstanding performance against Lucknow Super Giants is a testament to his skills and determination, reflecting a bright future for the young cricketer.
