NEW DELHI: Delhi Capitals’ Ashutosh Sharma has emerged as the sensation of IPL 2025 after producing a remarkable rescue act against Lucknow Super Giants in Visakhapatnam on Sunday night.
Sharma’s breathtaking unbeaten 66 off just 31 deliveries transformed what seemed like certain defeat into a thrilling victory for Delhi Capitals, who were reeling at 65/5 while chasing a daunting target of 210.
DC mentor and former England captain Kevin Pietersen couldn’t contain his admiration when greeting the match-winner afterward. “I said this game is not over until Ashutosh is batting,” Pietersen told the deserving Man of the Match recipient.
“Brilliant, Brilliant! It’s all about mindset,” added Pietersen, visibly elated while celebrating with the young dynamo whose composure under pressure guided Delhi home with three balls to spare and just one wicket remaining.
What makes Sharma’s performance even more impressive is the revelation from head coach Hemang Badani about the batter’s injury concerns leading into the match.
“I have to mention this lad. He had a cut finger. There was a chance he could have missed out on the game,” Badani disclosed in the dressing room celebration. “I had a chat with him two days prior when he had that cut. ‘How are you feeling? Will you play?'”
Sharma’s response exemplified the fighting spirit that would later manifest on the field: “I am playing the game. I want to be in the middle.”
Badani praised what he called Sharma’s “tiger mentality,” highlighting the remarkable acceleration in his innings. “There’s one thing about wanting to play, but to go in there and bat the way he did — 15 off 15 at one stage, then finishing with 66 off 31 — that’s special.”
The innings featured a perfect blend of calculated risk-taking and explosive power-hitting against a quality LSG bowling attack. Sharma’s knock included five towering sixes and four boundaries, with his strike rate soaring to 212.90 by the conclusion of his match-winning effort.
The franchise aptly captured the impact of their newest hero on social media, sharing a video of Ashutosh greeting fans with the caption: “Came in as an impact player but left as the main character.”
With this performance, Ashutosh Sharma has not only announced himself as a finisher of rare quality but potentially as one of the breakthrough stars of this IPL season, giving Delhi Capitals renewed hope in their campaign.