Delhi Capitals started their Indian Premier League (2025) in winning style. To get the first win of IPL 2025, Delhi Capitals defeated Lucknow Super Giants with the help of Ashutosh Sharma’s heroic innings. Ashutosh scored 66 runs from 31 balls and hit six in the first ball on the last over, which helped his team to win. His knock helped him to win the Player of the Match Award. Ashutosh dedicated his "Player of the Match" honour to mentor and former India captain Shikhar Dhawan following his knock.
After the match, Ashutosh Sharma was seen on a video call with his mentor, Dhawan. The former Indian cricketer called to congratulate him for his knock, which helped the team win the match. After the call, the dressing room celebrated the win.
Watch the video here:
While chasing the target of 210 runs, the Delhi Capitals found themselves in struggle. The run chase did not start well for Delhi as the batting line fell suddenly; they were 7 for 3 wickets and later 65 for 5 wickets. After reaching 20 runs at a run-a-ball, Ashutosh was having trouble timing the ball at first. However, he went into overdrive in the final three overs of the chase, scoring his next 46 runs in 11 balls. The debutant Vipraj Nigam also gave him support in the middle to change the game and their team's favour.
Connection with Shikhar Dhawan started in 2024
At a preseason training with the Punjab Kings before the 2024 Indian Premier League, Ashutosh Sharma first got to know Shikhar Dhawan. Impressed by his perspective, Dhawan presented his bat to Ashutosh as a gift. In his Ranji Trophy debut against Gujarat, Ashutosh used that bat to score a century for Railways, making it a memorable gift. During his time with the Punjab Kings in the 2024 Indian Premier League, he continued to engage with Dhawan and benefit from his guidance, which only strengthened their connection.
Ashutosh stated last year that he learnt the value of "visualisation, manifestation," and "positive thinking" from his conversations with Shikhar Dhawan, who is a frequent stressor for the former India opener. During the IPL auction, Ashutosh Sharma was picked by the Delhi Capitals for Rs. 3.8 crores and it looks like he can be the man for the team in death overs.