Ashutosh Sharma scored 31 runs from just 17 balls | Source: X.com
In a thrilling last-ball encounter, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) edged past the Gujarat Titans (GT) by three wickets, propelled by two unsung heroes who stole the spotlight in IPL 2024.
Just when victory seemed assured for the Gujarat Titans, Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma rose to the occasion, turning the tide and stunning their opponents.
With Shashank Singh’s explosive 61* off 29 balls and Ashutosh Sharma’s blitzkrieg 31 off 17 balls, the Punjab Kings achieved a remarkable run chase of 200 runs.
While Shashank Singh’s brief tenure with Sunrisers Hyderabad may ring a bell for many, it’s time to shine the spotlight on Ashutosh Sharma and get acquainted with his journey.
Who is Ashutosh Sharma?
Hailing from Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, Ashutosh Sharma, born in September 1998, made a bold move at the age of ten, shifting to Indore to chase his cricketing dreams, leaving behind his family. His commitment paid dividends when he earned selection for the state U16 team in 2012.
Ashutosh made his first appearance for the state’s senior team during the 2018 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at the tender age of 19. However, he was later dropped from the team in 2020 despite giving consistent performances.
Coming off a three-year break, Ashutosh found his way into Railways in 2023. His return was nothing short of spectacular, as he blazed to a half-century off just 11 balls in his second game against Arunachal Pradesh, surpassing Yuvraj Singh’s record (12 balls) for the fastest T20 fifty by an Indian.
Taking cues from his fellow Madhya Pradesh cricketer and former India wicketkeeper Naman Ojha, along with the current Indian cricket sensation Suryakumar Yadav, the aggressive batter, who went unnoticed in the 2021 IPL auction, landed a contract with the Punjab Kings this season for his base price of Rs 20 lakhs.
