Ashutosh Sharma, a batsman for the Delhi Capitals (DC), was known for coming up with unexpected things during the previous IPL season. at DC’s IPL 2025 opener against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Visakhapatnam on March 24, the trend grew even further.
The 26-year-old displayed remarkable talent and determination under pressure as they came in with the side reeling at 65/5 in their run-chase of 210. DC won by a thrilling one wicket thanks to Ashutosh’s incredible 66* off 31 deliveries, which included five maximums and as many boundaries.
Ashutosh’s mannerisms and lucidity during his time at the crease were noteworthy, even beyond the figures. Additionally, it was evident in his post-match comments, in which he informed the host broadcasters (via India Today):
“I was very normal at that time and told myself that if he takes a single, I’ll finish it with a six. I had full confidence in my ability. I really enjoyed being out there, and my hard work paid off. Just follow the basics and believe in my ability. I was just following the process and wanted to take the game as deep as possible. My plan was to accelerate in the slog overs and ensure I batted till the 20th over.”
Ashutosh Sharma
Fans are questioning if Ashutosh can be promoted to the Indian T20I team quickly because of his amazing batting performances when his sides have looked hopeless, whether it was for DC in the 2025 opening or Punjab Kings (PBKS) last year. The Madhya Pradesh-born right-hander may be an exception to the trend, even if it’s not easy to break into a team that just won the 2024 T20 World Cup and has been dominating in the shortest format.
In light of this, let’s examine three reasons why India needs to add Ashutosh Sharma to their T20 team as soon as possible.
1. MS Dhoni-Like Temperament and a Fearless Double Gear
Aside from “winning a game with a six,” Ashutosh Sharma and the great MS Dhoni share a few of other notable traits. Like Dhoni, the 26-year-old possesses the unique ability to play in different gears depending on the circumstance.
That was demonstrated during yesterday’s LSG appearance, where Ashutosh only managed a run-a-ball in his first 20 deliveries. He entered the game at 65/5 in the seventh over, even though the required run rate was more than 11 runs per over.
But Ashutosh showed amazing intelligence by waiting until the very end and then bursting when the two aggressors, Vipraj Nigam and Tristan Stubbs, were fired. Ashutosh opened up and scored an incredible 46 off his final 11 deliveries to lead his team home despite having only the tail at his disposal.
Beyond his ability to hit the ball, the DC right-hander’s game awareness and strategic abilities during the frantic run-chase were reminiscent of Dhoni’s and something that even the best middle-order batsmen in India or the world lacked.
Ashutosh has already shown in his early career that he can make the difficult appear routine, a rare trait that is primarily associated with Dhoni.
2. Fills potentially the one hole in an otherwise dominant Indian T20I setup
Even though Team India has appeared unbeatable in the T20I format for the past two years, their bottom middle order’s dependability has been a little weakness. Even if players like Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh have repeatedly shown their talent, the Indian middle-order has periodically faltered in Twenty20 Internationals.
The choices for completing an innings are still debatable, despite the impressive line-up for top-order berths in the Indian T20I lineup. Given that India will host the next T20 World Cup in 2026, Ashutosh’s unmatched ability to perform consistently under pressure and in unlikely circumstances in the IPL and other domestic events cannot be disregarded.
Given that several of the leading candidates for the position, including Dube, Rinku, and Axar Patel, are left-handers, the 26-year-old also offers a legitimate right-handed alternative to Hardik Pandya at No. 5 or 6.
3. Rare combination of form, versatility, and consistency in the middle-order
More often than not, form and adaptability are more important for T20 success than reputation and cumulative stats. According to that reasoning, it is difficult to find a batter who now fits those requirements as well as Ashutosh Sharma for the special lower middle-order position.
The right-handed batter demonstrated his ability to rotate strike and big-hit against both pace and spin in equal measure throughout the DC match. In the last three balls of the 18th over, Ashutosh hit Ravi Bishnoi, one of India’s top spinners, for 16 runs.
Then, against pacer Prince Yadav, he scored 10 runs off the final two deliveries of the next over. In addition to his versatility versus bowling types, Ashutosh’s tendency to play in the ‘V’ allows him to hit big hits without taking any chances.
However, in the outstanding knock last night, he also shown his ability to pull and hook short deliveries and play the traditional cover drive for a boundary. In addition, during the past year, Ashutosh has shown remarkable consistency for a lower middle order batsman.
