On Monday, March 24, Ashutosh Sharma really knocked it out of the park with an impressive 66 runs off just 31 balls, helping Delhi Capitals secure an unforgettable victory by just one wicket against Lucknow Super Giants in their IPL 2025 match. After the match, Ashutosh didn’t hold back in sharing his gratitude, dedicating his Player of the Match award to his mentor, the former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan, who has played a big role in his career.
During the post-match ceremony, the 26-year-old opened up about his past experience. He reflected on how he had missed the chance to finish games a couple of times last season while playing for Punjab Kings and expressed his determination to get it right this year. Ashutosh shared that he always believed if he could stick around until the end, he could turn the game around. And he did just that! “I learned from last year. I missed out on finishing games a few times, but I trained hard and kept focused throughout the whole year. I believed that if I could stay till the last over, anything was possible. Vipraj played really well, and I encouraged him to keep swinging. He handled the pressure like a champ. I want to dedicate this award to my mentor, Shikhar Paaji, Ashutosh said.
In the match played at Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, Ashutosh, who hails from Ratlam, came in to bat at No. 7 for Delhi Capitals. He unleashed an impressive display, hitting five fours and five sixes during his innings. Not only did he contribute significantly, but he also formed key partnerships, adding 48 runs for the sixth wicket with Tristan Stubbs, who scored 34, and 55 runs for the seventh wicket with Vipraj Nigam, who chipped in with 39 runs.
Ashutosh was signed by Delhi Capitals for a hefty Rs 3.80 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction, and he showed exactly why he was worth it. With the pressure mounting and just one wicket left, he sent a massive six down the ground against Shahbaz Ahmed when DC needed just five runs to win from four balls. It was a nail-biting finish that showcased his talent and composure under pressure.
Reflecting on last season, it’s clear Ashutosh learned a lot while playing under Shikhar Dhawan’s leadership at Punjab Kings. Last year, Dhawan gave him the chance to debut in the IPL, and in his first season, Ashutosh made a solid impact, scoring 189 runs in nine innings across 11 matches. Overall, this win and performance might just mark the beginning of something special for him and the Delhi Capitals this season!
