Ashutosh Sharma, the Madhya Pradesh batter, has emerged as a revelation in the Indian Premier League (IPL), captivating fans and players alike with his explosive batting and uncanny ability to turn matches around. In a recent nail-biter against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on March 24, 2025, Sharma orchestrated a stunning one-wicket victory for Delhi Capitals (DC), pulling them back from the brink on a treacherous pitch.
His performance left even Faf du Plessis, a veteran accustomed to wowing crowds himself, in awe. “Just as an overseas player, one thing that’s remarkable for me to watch is the amount of Indian players that are so powerful and they got the ability to just strike the ball so easy,” du Plessis said. “It wasn’t an easy pitch, but the way they came in and effortlessly hit boundaries—unbelievable.”
Who is Ashutosh Sharma?
Ashutosh Sharma is a 26-year-old Indian cricketer who has gained recognition for his explosive batting and power-hitting abilities, particularly in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Born on September 15, 1998, in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, Sharma is a right-handed batsman known for his aggressive style and knack for accelerating the scoring rate, making him a valuable asset in T20 cricket.
Ashutosh Sharma is a dynamic cricketer whose rapid rise in the IPL—from a modest INR 20 lakhs signing with Punjab Kings in 2024 to a INR 3.8 crore acquisition by Delhi Capitals in 2025—reflects his talent and potential. With a record-breaking domestic T20 fifty, impactful IPL performances, and a growing presence in Indian cricket, Sharma is a rising star to watch in the years ahead.
Early Life and Cricketing Beginnings
Sharma’s journey in cricket began at a young age when he moved to Indore to train at the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association’s residential academy. His early talent was evident, and he drew inspiration from players like Naman Ojha and Suryakumar Yadav. He made his debut in competitive cricket with Madhya Pradesh, playing his first T20 match in 2018 and his List-A debut in 2019. Later, he switched teams to Railways, where he made his first-class debut in 2024.
Breakthrough in Domestic Cricket
Sharma’s big break came during the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, a domestic T20 tournament in India. Representing Madhya Pradesh, he scored the fastest fifty by an Indian in T20 cricket, reaching the milestone in just 11 balls against Arunachal Pradesh. This record-breaking performance surpassed Yuvraj Singh’s long-standing mark and thrust Sharma into the national spotlight, catching the eye of IPL scouts. He was in talks for Indian team in Zimbabwe Tour of 2024 for T20 tournaments but could not make the cut.
IPL Journey
Punjab Kings (IPL 2024)
In the IPL 2024 season, Sharma was picked up by Punjab Kings (PBKS) at a base price of INR 20 lakhs. Despite PBKS struggling as a team, Sharma emerged as a standout performer. He played 11 matches, scoring 189 runs at an impressive strike rate of 167.25. His notable contributions included:
- A quickfire 31 off 17 balls against Gujarat Titans.
- A blistering 61 off 28 balls against Mumbai Indians, showcasing his ability to take on top bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, whom he famously swept for a six.
His fearless approach and impactful cameos made him a fan favorite, though PBKS released him ahead of the IPL 2025 auction.
Delhi Capitals (IPL 2025)
Sharma’s performances in IPL 2024 sparked a bidding war at the IPL 2025 auction, with Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals (DC) vying for his services. Delhi Capitals ultimately secured him for INR 3.8 crore—a significant jump from his previous base price—reflecting his growing stature. In IPL 2025, Sharma continued to shine, delivering a match-winning unbeaten 66 off 31 balls against Lucknow Super Giants. This knock, featuring five fours and five sixes, helped DC chase down 156 for a thrilling one-wicket victory with just three balls remaining.
For Sharma, this triumph marked a significant milestone in a career that has been anything but straightforward. Last season with Punjab Kings, he faced 103 balls across the IPL, scoring 189 runs and frequently rescuing his team from dire straits—yet he often fell agonizingly short of finishing the job, and his batting is as aggressive as Ishan Kishan that we saw in SRH vs RR match.
Memories of near-misses haunted him: a valiant effort against Gujarat Titans where he holed out in the final over, a two-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad, and a 61 off 28 against Mumbai Indians that couldn’t prevent a loss. “I learnt a lot from last year,” Sharma reflected. “I brought the team close in two-three matches but left the job unfinished. This year, I focused on finishing games, and it paid off on this big stage.”
Against LSG, Sharma’s resolve shone through. The pitch offered no favors—deliveries spun sharply, like the one that dismissed Tristan Stubbs, or skidded low, nearly stumping No. 11 Mohit Sharma in the final over. Yet Sharma’s clean hitting stood out, his boundaries a testament to his skill and composure.
As Ambati Rayudu noted, “Ashutosh was calm under pressure,” a quality evident even at the non-striker’s end. “If he takes a single, I’ll hit a six,” Sharma told himself—and he did just that, sealing the heist with a flourish.
A Journey of Resilience
Sharma’s path to this moment of glory is a tale of grit and redemption. Born in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, he moved to Indore at age eight to pursue cricket, living frugally and even umpiring to ensure a meal. His talent blossomed under coach Amay Khurasiya at the MPCA academy, leading to a senior debut in the 2018 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and a stellar 2019 season where he scored 233 runs. But in 2020, an unexplained exclusion from the Madhya Pradesh team plunged him into despair. “I went into depression,” he recalled. “I stayed at the hotel for months, not even able to see the ground. All I did was go to the gym and come back to the room.”
The COVID-19 period exacerbated his struggles, but a move to Railways in 2023 proved transformative. There, he smashed an 11-ball fifty—the fastest by an Indian in T20s—against Arunachal Pradesh, finishing the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with a strike rate of 277.27.
This resurgence caught the eye of Punjab Kings, who signed him for IPL 2024. Though his time with Kings showcased his potential—like a seven-six blitz against Mumbai Indians, including a swept six off Jasprit Bumrah—consistency eluded him until his move to Delhi Capitals.
The Six-Hitting Sensation
Sharma’s defining trait is his six-hitting prowess. In 18 T20 innings, he has smashed 43 sixes—an average of 2.38 per game. His IPL 2024 strike rate of 205.26 reflects his aggressive intent, honed by idolizing Suryakumar Yadav and Glenn Maxwell. “I’ve been practicing these shots,” he said after sweeping Bumrah, a moment that epitomized his wristy, audacious style—think nonchalant whips to fine leg or reverse-scoops that echo Maxwell’s flair.
Now with Delhi Capitals, Sharma is making up for lost time. His journey—from a heartbroken youngster to an IPL match-winner—resonates beyond the boundary. As he continues to light up the league, his never-say-die attitude and flair for the dramatic are not just winning matches; they’re winning hearts, inspiring a new generation of cricketers to dream big.
Domestic Cricket Achievements
Beyond the IPL, Ashutosh Sharma has shown consistency across formats:
- Ranji Trophy (First-Class): 370 runs, with a highest score of 123 against Gujarat.
- List-A: 297 runs.
- T20s: Seven fifties, including his record-breaking 11-ball fifty.
His versatility and ability to adapt make him a promising talent in Indian cricket. Sharma is celebrated for his aggressive batting, particularly his power-hitting and ability to finish games under pressure. It makes us think that he is 26 now, what if he was selected for tours like Zimbabwe in 2024 to make an impact earlier.
His fearless approach against world-class bowlers and composure in high-stakes situations have earned him a reputation as a reliable middle- and lower-order batsman. His journey from a small town in Madhya Pradesh to the IPL highlights his determination and resilience, inspiring young cricketers across India.
Career Stats
Batting & Fielding
Format |
Matches |
Innings |
NO |
Runs |
HS |
Avg |
SR |
100s |
50s |
4s |
6s |
Catches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FC |
8 |
13 |
0 |
370 |
123 |
28.46 |
105.11 |
1 |
2 |
37 |
17 |
1 |
List A |
14 |
13 |
0 |
297 |
75 |
22.84 |
126.38 |
0 |
1 |
26 |
17 |
5 |
T20s |
32 |
29 |
6 |
838 |
84 |
36.43 |
184.58 |
0 |
8 |
65 |
61 |
6 |
IPL |
12 |
10 |
3 |
255 |
66* |
36.42 |
177.08 |
0 |
2 |
15 |
20 |
2 |
Bowling
Format |
Matches |
Innings |
Balls |
Runs |
Wickets |
BBI |
Ave |
Econ |
SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FC |
8 |
5 |
120 |
79 |
0 |
– |
– |
3.95 |
– |
List A |
14 |
4 |
108 |
102 |
2 |
1/10 |
51.00 |
5.66 |
54.0 |
T20s |
32 |
4 |
53 |
88 |
3 |
2/22 |
29.33 |
9.96 |
17.6 |
IPL |
12 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
Recent Matches of Ashutosh Sharma
Match |
Bat |
Bowl |
Date |
Ground |
Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DC vs LSG |
66* |
— |
24-Mar-2025 |
Visakhapatnam |
T20 |
Railways vs Maharashtra |
47 |
— |
05-Jan-2025 |
Wankhede |
List A |
Railways vs Rajasthan |
8 |
0/42 |
03-Jan-2025 |
Mumbai |
List A |
Railways vs Himachal |
35 |
— |
31-Dec-2024 |
DY Patil |
List A |
Railways vs Sikkim |
75 |
0/31 |
28-Dec-2024 |
Mumbai |
List A |
Debut & Last Matches
Format |
Debut |
Last Match |
|---|---|---|
FC |
Railways vs Gujarat (26-28 Jan 2024) |
Chhattisgarh vs Railways (6-9 Nov 2024) |
List A |
Rajasthan vs M. Pradesh (16 Oct 2019) |
Railways vs Maharashtra (5 Jan 2025) |
T20 |
Vidarbha vs M. Pradesh (12 Jan 2018) |
LSG vs DC (24 Mar 2025) |
Ashutosh Sharma has emerged as a dynamic batting allrounder, known for his aggressive T20 batting and ability to shift momentum in crucial matches. His performance in IPL 2024 grabbed attention, leading to a high-value contract with Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025. With a record-breaking fastest fifty in Indian T20 history and a solid domestic career, he remains a promising prospect for Indian cricket’s future.
