Ashutosh Sharma stole the show as he guided Delhi Capitals (DC) to an improbable victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Monday in the Indian Premier League (IPL). (Match Highlights| Schedule | Teams | Points Table)
Chasing a stiff 210-run total, DC seemed down and out in the seventh over as they lost of their side for just 65 runs. This was when Sharma came to the crease as an Impact Player, replacing pacer Mukesh Kumar. The right hander could not find his rhythm early on as he only managed 20 runs off his first 20 balls. In between, DC had also lost their sixth wicket in Tristan Stubbs and apart from Sharma no established batter was left.
Then came the debutant Vipraj Nigam who galloped to 39 off just 15 balls to give DC the impetus they needed. Sharma too started connecting and even though wickets kept falling from the other end, the right-hander took his team home in style with a six in the last over.
The 26-year-old Railways all-rounder finished with 66 not out off 31 balls and was adjudged the Player of the Match, an award he dedicated to Shikhar Dhawan. He also credited Nigam for his calm demeanor under pressure.
"Well played to Vipraj. I asked him to keep hitting. He was very calm under pressure. Want to dedicate this award to my mentor Shikhar paaji."
Dhawan was Sharma's captain last year when he made his IPL debut for Punjab Kings. He impressed with his lower-order hitting even last season but the Kings could not qualify for the play-offs. Sharma took his lesssons from last year's heartbreak this time.
"Took the lessons from last year. Missed out on finishing the game on a couple of occasions in the previous season. The whole year I focussed and visualised about it. Had the belief that if I play till the last over, anything can happen."
The Capitals next play Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 30 in Vishakhapatnam.
