Impact substitute Ashutosh Sharma announced himself on the IPL stage with a breathtaking unbeaten 66 that propelled Delhi Capitals to an extraordinary one-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants on Monday night in Visakhapatnam.
Chasing a daunting target of 210, Delhi found themselves on the brink of defeat at 65/5 before Ashutosh’s remarkable rescue act saw them home with just three balls remaining in a contest that will be remembered as one of the season’s most thrilling encounters.
The 25-year-old debutant displayed nerves of steel in the final moments, striking the winning six when just six runs were needed off the last over with only the number 11 for company. His match-winning knock included five towering sixes and four boundaries at a stunning strike rate of 200.
“This is what dreams are made of,” Ashutosh told reporters after the match. “To contribute to a win like this on debut is something I’ll cherish forever.”
DC’s chase began disastrously as they slumped to 7/3 inside the powerplay. Tristan Stubbs (34) and Axar Patel (22) attempted to rebuild before another collapse left them requiring 97 runs from just 7.3 overs with four wickets in hand.
A game-changing partnership of 55 runs off merely 22 balls between Ashutosh and fellow debutant Vipraj Nigam (39 off 15) kept Delhi’s hopes alive. Though Nigam fell in the 17th over followed by two more quick wickets, Ashutosh maintained his composure throughout the nail-biting finish.
Lady luck smiled on DC when number 11 Mohit Sharma survived a close stumping chance in the final over when LSG wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant failed to collect cleanly. This reprieve proved decisive as Ashutosh promptly dispatched Shahbaz Ahmed over the boundary to seal an improbable victory.
In the LSG dressing room after the heartbreaking defeat, owner Sanjiv Goenka addressed his dejected players with characteristic positivity.
“Lots of positives that I take away from this game in batting, in bowling. The way we had the powerplay in both innings was brilliant. These things happen,” Goenka told his squad, acknowledging the sting of defeat despite controlling much of the contest.
“We are a young team, let’s look at the positives, and look forward. Disappointing result tonight, yes. But, great game. So, well done,” he added, already shifting focus to their upcoming clash.
The match highlighted Delhi’s never-say-die spirit under new captain Axar Patel and vindicated mentor Kevin Pietersen’s pre-match prediction that Ashutosh would produce something special.
Lucknow Super Giants will look to bounce back when they face the free-scoring Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on March 27, while Delhi Capitals will carry the momentum of this memorable victory into their next encounter.