Follow UsDay three of the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) witnessed the best game and best knock of the season, yet, and it will be seriously hard to top what we saw in Vizag today.
Delhi Capitals (DC) got over the line against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by one wicket, and that was thanks to an extraordinary knock from Ashutosh Sharma, who walked in as impact player and hammered 66* off 31 balls to take DC over the line.
DC still needed 39 to win when Mitchell Starc fell and they lost their 8th wicket, but, from that point onwards, Ashutosh single-handedly took DC over the line, pounding one six after another.
He said after the game that he entered this season determined to finish off matches, after missing out a couple of times in IPL 2024 despite playing valuable hands.
"I learned from last season, because there were a few games where I couldn't finish the game, so I have been focusing on finishing games, even in domestic cricket,” Ashutosh said after the game.
“I have a lot of belief in myself that if I play till the last over and the last ball, anything can happen. Because you just have to stay calm, and believe, and think about what shots you can play that you have practiced, so that's what I did today.”
Ashutosh further credited debutant Vipraj Nigam, who played a remarkable cameo himself, hammering 39 off just 15 balls. Together, the duo added 55 runs in under 4 overs to get DC back into the clash.
“Firstly I want to say Vipraj played very well. It was a good innings. I told him that if he is able to connect, he should keep hitting. And I just stayed calm and didn't take too much pressure on myself,” he said.