Delhi Capitals were in deep, deep trouble—29/5 against Sunrisers Hyderabad and looking like they might rewrite history for all the wrong reasons. The lowest IPL total ever was looming large. But then strolled in their Impact Player, with the swagger of a Bollywood hero, and basically said, “Not on my watch.”
Enter Ashutosh Sharma. Exit panic.
On a pitch where the ball was behaving like it had a personal vendetta against batsmen, Ashutosh pulled off a mini-miracle. A blazing 41 off just 26 balls lifted Delhi to a much more respectable 133/7. It wasn’t quite enough to win, but it definitely saved them from total embarrassment.
And no, this wasn’t a one-time fluke. Ashutosh seems to have made a habit out of showing up when his team is crumbling.
Rewind to 2024.
Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians: PBKS were floundering at 79/6. Ashutosh walked in, saw the chaos, and casually dropped a 28-ball-61. Still skeptical? Here's another: Punjab needed 67 runs off the last 24 balls against Sunrisers. Six wickets down. Pressure sky-high. Ashutosh? Cool as ever. He smashed 33 off 15 and nearly pulled off the impossible, leaving SRH fans on the edge of their seats—and possibly minus a few fingernails.
And who can forget his heroics earlier this season? In Delhi’s very first match against LSG, he played a match-winning knock of 66 that turned the game on its head.
In a total of 17 innings in the IPL, he has smashed 375 runs at a strike rate of over 167. This guy might not win the Orange cap ever in the IPL but he certainly brings unmatched value. The question now is, why’s nobody talking about Ashutosh Sharma for the 2026 T20 World Cup? This guy certainly deserves a run.
Now here's the million-dollar question: Why is Ashutosh Sharma still stuck down the order? Is he just a quick-fix cameo guy? Or is DC seriously overlooking a middle-order gem who thrives under pressure? Maybe it’s time to trust him with a No. 4 or No. 5 role and let him take charge earlier. Your move, Delhi.
