Ashutosh Sharma’s Heroics Seal Thrilling Win for Delhi Capitals
In a gripping IPL 2025 encounter, Ashutosh Sharma emerged as the unlikely hero for Delhi Capitals (DC), playing a sensational unbeaten knock of 66* off just 31 balls. His heroic effort guided DC to a dramatic one-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
Coming in to bat with DC reeling at 65/5, Ashutosh’s fearless counter-attack turned the game around. His explosive hitting under pressure secured one of the most thrilling victories of the season.
Delhi Capitals’ Tough Chase Turns into a Nail-Biter
Chasing a massive target of 210 runs, Delhi Capitals faced early setbacks, losing half their side for just 65 runs by the seventh over. The required run rate climbed close to 10 per over, making the chase look nearly impossible.
However, Ashutosh Sharma walked in with supreme confidence and changed the momentum. Despite wickets falling at the other end, he remained composed and aggressive, keeping DC in the hunt.
Ashutosh Sharma’s Power-Packed Knock
The 25-year-old Ashutosh Sharma, who previously played for Punjab Kings in IPL 2024, delivered a career-defining performance. Displaying remarkable maturity and clean ball-striking, he smashed:
4 fours and 6 sixes
A blistering strike rate of 212.90
The winning runs with just one wicket remaining
In the final overs, Sharma’s calculated big hits kept DC in the contest. He showed no signs of pressure, even when batting with the last-wicket pair.
LSG’s Strong Batting Performance Falls Short
Earlier in the match, Lucknow Super Giants posted an imposing total of 209/6 in their 20 overs. Key contributions came from:
KL Rahul (54 off 38 balls)
Marcus Stoinis (45 off 24 balls)
Nicholas Pooran (36 off 17 balls)
LSG’s middle-order powered their innings with aggressive stroke play, pushing DC onto the back foot. Their bowlers, led by Ravi Bishnoi (3/34) and Mohsin Khan (2/29), made early inroads, leaving DC struggling.
However, Ashutosh Sharma’s late blitz overshadowed LSG’s efforts.
Turning Point: Last-Wicket Stand
With DC needing 24 runs from the final two overs, the pressure was immense. Sharma, batting alongside Kuldeep Yadav, held his nerve and took the game deep.
In the 19th over, he smashed two colossal sixes off Naveen-ul-Haq, bringing the equation down to 10 runs from the final over. With just three balls remaining, he struck the winning runs, securing a dramatic one-wicket triumph.
Key Match Stats and Highlights:
Match: Delhi Capitals vs Lucknow Super Giants
Venue: Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
Result: DC won by one wicket
Top Performer: Ashutosh Sharma – 66* (31)
DC’s Chase: 210/9 in 19.4 overs
LSG’s Total: 209/6 in 20 overs
Ashutosh Sharma: From Finisher to Game Changer
Ashutosh Sharma’s outstanding performance has put him in the spotlight as one of the most reliable finishers in IPL 2025. His fearless batting and match-winning temperament have earned him praise from fans and cricket experts alike.
Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan tweeted:
“Ashutosh Sharma – pure class under pressure. This is what IPL is all about! Young stars shining bright.”
With this memorable knock, Sharma has proven himself as a player to watch in the remainder of the tournament.
Delhi Capitals Gain Crucial Points
With this victory, Delhi Capitals climbed up the IPL 2025 points table, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Their next match will be against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, where they will aim to continue their winning streak.
For Lucknow Super Giants, the narrow defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. Despite setting a formidable target and dominating with the ball initially, they were unable to contain Ashutosh Sharma’s onslaught in the death overs.
Ashutosh Sharma’s scintillating 66* off 31 balls in IPL 2025 will be remembered as one of the most spectacular finishes in the tournament’s history. His remarkable composure, aggressive stroke play, and ability to handle pressure turned the game in Delhi Capitals’ favor. With this thrilling one-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants, DC have announced themselves as serious contenders for the IPL 2025 title.
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