Ashutosh Sharma etched his name into IPL folklore with an unforgettable debut performance for Delhi Capitals, smashing a whirlwind 66 off just 31 balls to steer his team to a remarkable victory against Lucknow Super Giants in the first North Indian derby of IPL 2025. His audacious innings, filled with fearless stroke-making, powered Delhi to chase down a mammoth target of 210, pulling them back from the brink of defeat after they were languishing at a disastrous 7 for 3. Ashutosh’s knock, laced with six towering sixes and five blistering boundaries, came at a time when Delhi’s top order had crumbled under the pressure of Lucknow’s inspired, yet inexperienced, bowling attack. The chase, which seemed all but lost, turned into a sensational triumph as Ashutosh, along with fellow debutant Vipraj Nigam, orchestrated one of the greatest IPL comebacks in recent memory.
Vipraj, a 20-year-old all-rounder with just seven T20 appearances to his name before this game, played a crucial supporting role, smashing an exhilarating 39 off 15 balls. His innings was a revelation, especially after he had earlier been taken apart for 36 runs in his two overs as a leg-spinner. Showing incredible resilience and maturity beyond his years, Vipraj put his bowling woes behind him and took on the Lucknow attack with fearless intent. His clean hitting over covers and midwicket took the pressure off Ashutosh, allowing the latter to play his natural attacking game. The pair stitched together an electrifying 64-run partnership for the seventh wicket in just 22 balls, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat and leaving the Lucknow players shell-shocked.
Delhi's chase started on a nightmarish note. Shardul Thakur, leading an under-strength Lucknow bowling attack in the absence of key pacers Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, Akash Deep, and Mohsin Khan, struck twice in the very first over. He dismissed the dangerous Jake Fraser-McGurk, who sliced a length ball to long-off for a tame dismissal, falling for a solitary run. Abhishek Porel followed soon after, mistiming a lofted shot that found Nicholas Pooran stationed at the edge of the circle. Delhi's troubles deepened when debutant Sameer Rizvi, who had looked promising with a crisp boundary, fell victim to a peach of a delivery from M Siddharth. At 7 for 3, Delhi’s dugout looked visibly tense, their hopes pinned on experienced heads like Faf du Plessis and Axar Patel.
Du Plessis, ever the fighter, tried to counter-attack, adding 43 runs alongside Axar in the powerplay. The South African skipper looked in control, punishing the young Lucknow spinners Digvesh Rathi and M Siddharth, but the promising partnership was cut short when Axar, looking to accelerate, swept a delivery from Rathi straight to short fine-leg. His dismissal left Delhi teetering once more, and when Tristan Stubbs — Delhi’s last recognized overseas hitter — fell, it looked like curtains for the Capitals.
Kevin Pietersen, speaking to the broadcasters at that point, emphasized Ashutosh’s reputation as a big-hitting finisher. He also highlighted Vipraj’s lesser-known batting prowess, referring to him as a hidden gem unearthed by Delhi’s scouting team. What followed was a performance that vindicated those words — Ashutosh and Vipraj unleashed a flurry of breathtaking strokes that turned the game on its head.
Ashutosh, acquired for Rs 3.8 crore in the auction, justified his price tag with one of the most unforgettable knocks in IPL history. His ability to clear the boundary with nonchalant ease, even under immense pressure, left the Lucknow bowlers clueless. He targeted the shorter side of the ground, picking gaps and launching sixes that sailed deep into the stands. Vipraj complemented him perfectly, dispatching anything remotely loose and rotating the strike smartly when needed. Together, they dismantled Lucknow’s bowling plans, exposing their lack of depth and experience in the death overs.
Lucknow, despite boasting a power-packed batting lineup featuring Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, and Mitchell Marsh — the latter playing solely as a batter — were left ruing their decision to overlook West Indian pacer Shamar Joseph. Instead, they relied on part-time bowlers and inexperienced spinners to defend their formidable total of 209, a move that ultimately cost them the match. Marsh and Pooran’s earlier fireworks, which had propelled Lucknow to a seemingly commanding total, were overshadowed by Ashutosh and Vipraj’s breathtaking counter-assault.
The defeat is a tough pill to swallow for Rishabh Pant, who was proactive with his captaincy and tried to creatively use his bowlers. However, the lack of depth in his injury-hit bowling attack became glaringly obvious in the final overs. Thakur’s impressive early strikes and Rathi’s timely breakthroughs were not enough to hold back the onslaught from Delhi’s unheralded batting duo.
For Delhi Capitals, this victory signals more than just two points on the table — it marks the rise of two new Indian stars. Ashutosh Sharma’s fearless hitting and Vipraj Nigam’s all-round resilience offer the franchise newfound hope and firepower. Their stunning chase will be remembered as one of IPL’s most thrilling turnarounds, a testament to the unpredictability and excitement that the league continues to deliver.
As the dust settles on this pulsating encounter, Delhi walks away with confidence and momentum, while Lucknow is left to regroup, rethink, and find answers to their mounting injury woes and misfiring bowling unit. One thing is certain — IPL 2025 has started with a bang, and Ashutosh Sharma’s name is now etched in the hearts of cricket fans as the man who turned the impossible into reality.
