Ashutosh Sharma’s game-winning knock during the Delhi Capitals’ (DC) IPL 2025 matchup against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) has been praised by former India player Aakash Chopra. Before the big auction, he said, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) would question if they made the correct decision in keeping Prabhsimran Singh over Ashutosh.
After being asked to bat first in an IPL 2025 match in Visakhapatnam on Monday, March 24, LSG set a goal of 210 runs for DC. With three deliveries remaining, Ashutosh helped the Capitals win by one wicket after smashing an undefeated 66 off 31 deliveries.
The former India opener, in a video posted on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra,’ suggested that the Punjab Kings may have been forced to consider their pre-auction retentions after Ashutosh’s game-changing innings when the Delhi Capitals were in a tight spot.
“Yesterday’s biggest story was Ashutosh Sharma. It’s his second season. People figure you out in the second season. Nobody knows anything in the first season. You come suddenly and play some shots and gather the limelight. However, people come with planning next year. So the second season is always tougher than the first one.”
Aakash Chopra
“They were 65/5. He was on 12 or 13 off 17 balls at one stage. Vipraj (Nigam) was hitting from the other end, but he was going slowly because he knew the match wouldn’t be decided there. Punjab might be thinking because they had a choice, whether to retain an Indian uncapped opener or an Indian uncapped finisher. They went with the keeper. I am talking about Prabhsimran Singh.”
Aakash Chopra
Ashutosh Sharma smashed consecutive sixes against pacers and spinners without stepping out, according to Aakash Chopra. Where should the opposing bowlers bowl to a batter like that, he wondered?
Aakash Chopra Applauds Kuldeep Yadav’s Magical Spell in DC’s Victory Over LSG
Kuldeep Yadav (4/20) bowled the game-winning spell in the Delhi Capitals’ (DC) IPL 2025 encounter against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), according to Aakash Chopra’s opinion in the same video.
“The second big story in this game for me was Kuldeep Yadav. Who wins a bat vs bat contest? Who won you the match? Of course, Ashutosh was spoken about later, but if you give 20 runs in four overs and bowl 15 dot balls, you can consider it anything above gold dust.”
Aakash Chopra
In addition to being frugal, the former cricket player turned broadcaster pointed out that Kuldeep took the valuable wicket of Rishabh Pant (0).
“Everyone was getting thrashed and he did an incredible job. It’s a small ground. He bowled with flight and who did he dismiss – Rishabh Pant. I think he was absolutely phenomenal.”
Aakash Chopra
Vipraj Nigam was also commended by Aakash Chopra for his pivotal cameo after DC was reduced to 113/6. With Ashutosh Sharma, the spin-bowling all-rounder scored 55 runs for the seventh wicket in only 3.4 overs after smashing 39 runs off 15 deliveries.
