From 65/5 to glory, Ashutosh’s unbeaten 66 guides DC to a last-over win against LSG; the uncapped hero credits ‘Shikhar paaji’ and self-belief for the special moment.
Visakhapatnam, March 25: In an emotional post-match moment, Ashutosh Sharma, the breakout star of Delhi Capitals’ thrilling one-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants, dedicated his Player of the Match award to “Shikhar paaji”, believed to be Shikhar Dhawan, who mentored him during his time at Punjab Kings.
The 26-year-old uncapped batter delivered an extraordinary performance under pressure, turning what looked like a lost cause into one of the most memorable finishes of IPL 2025. Walking in as an impact substitute, Ashutosh orchestrated DC’s biggest-ever run chase, smashing an unbeaten 66 off 31 balls and finishing the match with a towering six.
“I just want to dedicate this Man of the Match award to my mentor Shikhar paaji,” Ashutosh said after the game, his voice filled with gratitude.
Chasing 210, DC were reeling at 65/5, staring down a near-certain defeat. But Ashutosh stood tall, anchoring partnerships, accelerating at the right time, and ultimately keeping his nerve to win it off the final ball.
Reflecting on his journey and mindset, he said:
“Last year, there were a few matches I couldn’t finish. I’ve worked on that, especially in domestic cricket. I believe if I stay till the last over, anything is possible. You just have to stay calm and back your shots.”
While Ashutosh grabbed the spotlight, he was quick to share the credit with 20-year-old debutant Vipraj Nigam, whose blazing 39 off 15 balls was pivotal in keeping DC in the hunt during the middle overs.
“Firstly, Vipraj played really well. I told him—if you’re connecting, keep hitting. That took pressure off me and helped me focus on the finish.”
Ashutosh’s maturity, humility, and ice-cold composure under pressure not only earned Delhi two crucial points but also announced him as a rising star of the tournament. With veterans like Shikhar Dhawan inspiring the next generation off the field, the future of Indian cricket looks brighter than ever.