April 19, 2025It was a scorching afternoon at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, and the tension was palpable. The IPL 2025 clash between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Gujarat Titans (GT) promised to be a thriller, and the sun was high, making the heat unbearable for the players. Yet, the adrenaline from the crowd and the weight of the match pushed everyone forward.
Gujarat Titans had won the toss and decided to bowl first, a decision they knew would test their batsmen against Gujarat’s fierce attack. With the heat bearing down, DC’s openers started cautiously. But soon, the pressure started mounting, wickets began to fall, and by the 16th over, they were 140/5. Axar Patel, the seasoned all-rounder, had looked in solid touch but was visibly struggling. Sweat streamed down his face, and his legs seemed heavy from the relentless heat. His 66 runs off 43 balls had been hard-fought, and just as the Delhi fans were beginning to hope for more, Axar fell to a brilliant delivery from Prasidh Krishna.
The crowd was silent for a moment, realizing that the team needed a spark—a late burst—to put together a challenging total. Enter Ashutosh Sharma, the young and fearless talent who had made waves earlier in the season. This was his chance to step up, and step up he did.
Ashutosh’s first ball was a boundary. The crowd erupted. There was hope yet. He began to find his rhythm, hitting clean, powerful strokes to the boundary. His resolve, combined with a bit of luck, saw DC’s total rise steadily in the final overs. The Delhi dugout cheered every shot, hoping for a miracle.
The final over arrived. Ashutosh stood tall, staring down the bowling attack of Prasidh Krishna, who had been the star for Gujarat. Krishna had taken 4 wickets earlier, and he was the key to breaking DC’s hopes of crossing the 200 mark. But Ashutosh wasn’t to be intimidated. The first ball of the over—he slashed it for a towering six. The stadium roared. The crowd, which had been subdued by the heat, was now on its feet, rallying behind the young gun. Ashutosh’s fearless batting gave DC the much-needed boost, and they finished at 203/8.
As the Delhi players walked off the field, there was a sense of satisfaction, but also the realization that this target was not going to be easy. The Gujarat Titans were no slouches in a chase. Yet, they had their work cut out for them, especially with the scorching heat taking its toll on every player on the field.
The Delhi bowlers knew it would be a fight until the very last ball. Prasidh Krishna had set the stage with his brilliant bowling, but now, DC’s bowlers would have to rise to the occasion. The Delhi fans held their breath as the match moved into the next phase—Gujarat’s chase.
The match was not over. It was just beginning.