The 18th season of the IPL started with a bang. In just three days, fans witnessed a thrilling match where the Delhi Capitals, despite being 7-3 early on, successfully chased down 210 runs to defeat the Lucknow Super Giants. Ashutosh Sharma scored 66 runs and was awarded the Man of the Match for his incredible innings. He received praise, including from Surya Kumar Yadav, for his outstanding performance.
The Indian T20I captain took to Instagram to praise the young star. He said Ashutosh had the qualities to win the match for his team—grit, determination, and self-belief. The former Punjab Kings player displayed them all. SKY described his innings as “absolute carnage.”
Axar Patel captained the side for the first time and chose to bat after winning the toss. LSG seemed in control, thanks to impressive innings from Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran. However, after their captain, Rishabh Pant, was dismissed for 0, the team crumbled under pressure and posted a total of 210.
The Capitals had a rough start, losing three wickets with just seven runs on the board. At 65 for 5, no one expected them to win. Despite losing wickets regularly, Ashutosh emerged as the hero, finishing the match with a flurry of big hits. What seemed like an impossible chase turned into a stunning victory as the former PBKS player snatched the win from the jaws of defeat.
Ashutosh Sharma dedicated his Man of the Match award to Shikhar Dhawan
Ashutosh, the hero of the DC vs. LSG match, won the Man of the Match award for his brilliant performance. Despite the tough situation, he trusted his abilities and led his team to victory. He dedicated the award to his mentor, Shikhar Dhawan.
Last season he joined the Punjab Kings and played under Dhawan’s captaincy. He learned a lot from the legendary left-hander and showcased his potential alongside another young talent, Shashank Singh. After his impressive performance in the first match, all eyes will be on him for the rest of the season.
Delhi’s next match is against table-toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 30. Pat Cummins’ men won their first match against the Rajasthan Royals by scoring 286 runs, thanks to Ishan Kishan’s century and Travis Head’s blistering knock. Can the Delhi bowlers stop SRH’s dangerous batting lineup? We’ll find out soon.