Ashutosh Sharma's expression conveyed a great deal. His broad smile reflected profound satisfaction, a testament to his dedication, patience, and perseverance. "My hard work has been rewarded. I am truly happy," Ashutosh expressed to reporters when asked about his emotions. The sparkle in his eyes communicated far more than words could convey. It was a remarkable evening for the right-handed batsman. After being released by Punjab Kings despite a successful season the previous year, Ashutosh had something to prove with his new team, Delhi Capitals, and he certainly made a statement at the very first opportunity.

In pursuit of 210 runs, Delhi Capitals faced a daunting challenge against Lucknow Super Giants, having lost five wickets for a mere 65 runs by the seventh over. However, stepping in as an Impact Substitute, Ashutosh Sharma rose to the challenge, delivering an impressive unbeaten 66 runs off just 31 balls, showcasing his fearless batting and composure under pressure. Delhi Capitals triumphed over Lucknow Super Giants by a single wicket in a thrilling finish at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Ashutosh received valuable support from debutant Vipraj Nigam, who contributed a vital 39 runs off 15 balls in what became an exhilarating chase for the home team.

With 22 runs needed from the final two overs and six runs required from the last six balls with one wicket remaining, Ashutosh remained resolute and struck the winning six. After the match, he reflected on the tense final over bowled by Shahbaz Ahmed, where Delhi Capitals required six runs with the last batsman, Mohit Sharma, at the crease.

"I remained calm during that moment and told myself that if he gets a single, I would finish it with a six. I had complete faith in my abilities. I truly enjoyed being out there, and my hard work has paid off," Ashutosh remarked.

When questioned about his mindset in high-pressure situations, the 26-year-old stated, "I simply adhere to the fundamentals and trust in my skills. I was focused on the process and aimed to take the game as deep as possible. My strategy was to accelerate during the final overs and ensure I batted until the 20th over."

Ashutosh credits mentor Kevin Pietersen

Reflecting on his journey thus far and his collaboration with Delhi Capitals' mentor Kevin Pietersen, Ashutosh remarked, "I have taken valuable lessons and positives from last season and am committed to improving my performance this year. I am focused on avoiding past mistakes and implementing what I learned in domestic cricket."

"It is a privilege to have a legend like KP in the dressing room. I always make it a priority to engage with him about batting and gain insights from his experiences. He mentioned that the victory felt quite easy," he added.

Discussing his experience playing at Delhi Capitals' secondary home ground in Visakhapatnam, Ashutosh stated, "I have previously played in Vizag during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, so I am familiar with how the pitch behaves in both innings. Vizag is a favorable venue for me."

"I would like to express my gratitude to the fans of DC and Vizag for their unwavering support. This is merely the start of the tournament, so please continue to back us. We are determined to perform well in the upcoming matches," he concluded.

Delhi Capitals are set to face the Sunrisers Hyderabad in their second match of IPL 2025 at Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium on Sunday, March 30.

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