Ashutosh Sharma missed out on four years of top-level cricket after being left out by Madhya Pradesh, but Ashutosh Sharma has made a remarkable comeback as a big hitter in domestic cricket and the IPL.
Ashutosh Sharma is a six-hitting sensation. In just 18 T20 innings, he has smashed an incredible 43 sixes, averaging 2.38 sixes per game. On Thursday, he blasted seven sixes to revive Punjab Kings‘ chase of 193 runs against Mumbai Indians, almost leading them to an unlikely victory.
However, it was his six off the penultimate ball of the 13th over against Jasprit Bumrah that stood out. Though his aggressive innings ultimately ended in defeat, his fearless shot against Bumrah, the IPL’s top wicket-taker, left a lasting impression.
“It was a dream to hit Bumrah for a six, and it happened today. I’ve been practicing these shots, and I played it against one of the best bowlers in the world,” Ashutosh said after the match.
Ashutosh Sharma has made a significant impact in his four IPL appearances. He’s often come to bat when Punjab Kings were in trouble and has managed to turn the tables on several occasions.
His rise to prominence is even more remarkable considering the challenges he faced in the past. Hailing from Ratlam, he moved to Indore at a young age to pursue cricket, facing financial difficulties along the way. However, joining the MPCA academy under the guidance of former India cricketer Amay Khurasiya changed his life.
After being dropped by Madhya Pradesh without explanation, Ashutosh found a new home at Railways, where he flourished. His impressive performances caught the attention of Punjab Kings, who picked him up at the IPL auction.
Ashutosh credits the support and guidance of Sanjay Bangar and Shikhar Dhawan at Punjab Kings for his success in the IPL.
Despite missing out on top-level cricket for several years, Ashutosh is now making up for lost time in style on the biggest T20 stage.