Former India spinner Murali Karthik has lauded Ashutosh Sharma for his impressive performance in the IPL 2025 clash between DC and LSG on March 24.
After Ashutosh Sharma put his hands up and announced, “I want to dedicate this Player of the Match award to my mentor Shikhar Paaji. He’s not here… Thank you,” and was unable to continue the sentence.
Delhi Capitals mentor Kevin Pietersen may have got the immediate credit, Ashutosh himself came up with a switch hit gesture to thank Pietersen – for Ashutosh Sharma’s brilliance against Lucknow Super Giants, but the right-handed batter ensured Dhawan’s contribution behind his rise was not forgotten.
Like a true mentor, Dhawan also closely monitored the 26-year-old performance. Dhawan has been Aushtosh’s mentor for a long time now. He greatly advocated Ashutosh’s batting prowess during his time at Punjab Kings.
He entered the dressing room, he video-called Ashutosh to congratulate him. DC shared him the visuals of Dhawan and Aushtosh’s video call, during which the latter was heard saying, “Thank you” many times.
Ashu 🫂 Gabbar
It’s a Dilli love story 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/HZkeC3sWUE
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 24, 2025
When asked to reveal what Dhawan told him, “Paaji was very happy.”
Ashutosh helped the side to 1 wicket win after his unbeaten 66 for 31 runs. He finished Ashutosh lifted left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed for a straight six to carry Delhi to 211-9 with three balls to spare.
Lucknow controlled the game well until Ashutosh exploded Vipraj Nigam, whose own quickfire 39 runs off 15 deliveries helped to give Delhi hope.
Delhi was set back inside the powerplay when it lost four wickets. Shardul Thakur dismissed Jake Fraser-McGurk (1) and Abhishek Porel (0) in his first over.
Ashutosh and Nigam smashed the bowlers at will before Nigam top-edged in the 17th over, with Delhi still needing 42 runs off 23 deliveries.
Mitchell Marsh was the eighth man out when he couldn’t read Ravi Bishnoi’s googly and skied a catch to Pant, and Kuldeep Yadav was run out in the penulitmate Over in a bid to give the strike to bid to give the strike to Sharma.
With six needed off the final over, Mohit Sharma survived a stumping call as the ball deflected off his bat before he scoring a single. Ashutosh then finished off the game in style by hitting his fifty six and stunned Lucknow Super Giants.
