Ashutosh Sharma, an allrounder for the Delhi Capitals, had an incredible performance on Monday. He played a thrilling knock that helped his team chase down a tough target of 210 runs. After the match, he was having a chat on video call with his mentor, Shikhar Dhawan, in the dressing room. This call came after Ashutosh surprised everyone with his fantastic innings against the Lucknow Super Giants.
In the game, things looked pretty bleak for Delhi at the start. They found themselves struggling at 7 runs for 3 wickets within just the second over. Even after that shaky start, they managed to crawl to 116 runs for 6 wickets after 13 overs. Just when it seemed like things were going downhill, Ashutosh stepped up big time. He scored 66 runs off just 31 balls, hammering out five sixes and five fours, and led his team to an unbelievable win against Lucknow.
With Delhi needing a big finish, Ashutosh hit a massive six to seal the deal, showing a lot of coolness under pressure. In the post-match presentation, he dedicated his Player of the Match award to Dhawan, saying, I want to give this award to my mentor, Shikhar paaji. When he got back to the dressing room, there was a touching moment caught on camera where he thanked Dhawan for his kind words and congratulations. He was really happy. Love you paaji, Ashutosh said with a smile in the video.
Ashu 🫂 Gabbar
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 24, 2025
It’s a Dilli love story 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/HZkeC3sWUE
He first met Dhawan during a pre-season camp while he was with the Punjab Kings ahead of the IPL 2024 season. Dhawan was impressed with Ashutosh’s skills and even gifted him a bat, which helped to strengthen their bond. Throughout last season, Dhawan continued to offer advice, and Ashutosh appreciated the guidance he received from him. He mentioned that learning about the power of visualization, something Dhawan often talks about, was a game-changer for him. He believed that without putting this into practice, his performance against Lucknow wouldn’t have been possible.
Even as other players were falling to the Lucknow bowling attack, Ashutosh managed to keep his head cool. He executed some fantastic strokes and made sure that he finished the game for Delhi. This performance marked an exciting start to their season, with Delhi clinching victory with a score of 211 runs for 9 wickets.
One of the highlights of the match was the partnership between debutant Vipraj Nigam, who scored 39 off 15 balls, and Ashutosh, who formed an explosive 55-run alliance for the seventh wicket in just 22 balls. This partnership was crucial in turning the momentum back in Delhi’s favor after such a rocky start. Overall, it was a thrilling match for both players and fans alike, setting the stage for a promising season ahead.
