VISAKHAPATNAM: Ashutosh Sharma produced a masterclass in pressure batting to snatch an improbable victory for Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2025 opener against Lucknow Super Giants at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
The 25-year-old’s unbeaten 66 off just 31 deliveries, studded with five boundaries and five towering sixes, powered Delhi to a heart-stopping one-wicket win in a 210-run chase that had seemed all but lost after their top order was blown away inside the powerplay.
When the dust settled on this extraordinary encounter, Sharma’s final six sailing over long-on to seal the victory will be remembered as one of the most iconic moments of this IPL season as he roared in celebration, gesturing animatedly toward an ecstatic Delhi Capitals dugout.
“I just kept backing myself even when the required rate was climbing,” said Sharma at the post-match presentation. “The message from the dugout was clear – take it deep and target specific bowlers. I’m just happy I could deliver when it mattered most.”
Earlier, Lucknow Super Giants had posted an imposing 209/8, built around Mitchell Marsh’s explosive 72 off 36 balls and Nicholas Pooran’s blistering 75 off 30. Their 98-run partnership off just 42 balls had seemingly put LSG in an unassailable position.
Delhi’s chase couldn’t have started in a more disastrous fashion, with Shardul Thakur and Manimaran Siddharth reducing them to a catastrophic 7/3 inside two overs. Jake Fraser-McGurk (2), Abishek Porel (1), and Sameer Rizvi (0) all fell cheaply, leaving the Capitals staring at a humiliating defeat.
Captain Axar Patel (22 off 11) and Faf du Plessis (29 off 18) attempted a rescue operation but when both departed in quick succession, DC were reeling at 113/6 in the 13th over, needing a seemingly impossible 97 runs from 45 balls.
That’s when the Sharma show began.
Displaying remarkable composure despite the mounting required rate, Sharma found an able ally in Vipraj Nigam, who contributed a vital 39 off 15 balls. Their 76-run partnership off just 28 deliveries shifted the momentum dramatically.
“The way Ashutosh handled pressure was exceptional,” said Delhi head coach Ricky Ponting. “At no stage did he look flustered or play a rash shot. That’s the mark of a special talent.”
With 18 needed off the final two overs, Sharma took complete control, expertly manipulating the strike while punishing anything loose. Even the loss of Kuldeep Yadav in the penultimate over couldn’t derail his focus.
With six needed off four balls in the final over bowled by Avesh Khan, Sharma delivered the knockout punch – a majestic straight six that sailed into the stands, completing one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent IPL history.
For Lucknow, who had the game firmly in their grasp for three-quarters of the match, this defeat will raise serious questions about their death bowling. Despite the early breakthroughs, their experienced bowlers failed to maintain pressure when it mattered most.
“We probably missed our execution at the back end,” admitted a disappointed LSG captain KL Rahul. “Credit to Ashutosh though, he played an incredible knock under pressure.”
With this victory, Delhi Capitals not only collect their first two points of the campaign but also send a strong message about their resilience and fighting spirit – qualities that may prove invaluable as the tournament progresses.
As for Ashutosh Sharma, this career-defining innings announces his arrival on the big stage and adds another remarkable chapter to the IPL’s rich history of unlikely heroes and unforgettable finishes.