DC vs LSG Reaction – Ashutosh Sharma The Hero

​In a thrilling encounter on March 24, 2025, the Delhi Capitals (DC) secured a dramatic one-wicket victory over the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) season opener at Visakhapatnam. Chasing a formidable target of 210, DC found themselves in deep trouble at 65 for 5 in the seventh over. However, a remarkable unbeaten innings of 66 runs off 31 balls by Ashutosh Sharma turned the game on its head, guiding DC to 211 for 9 with three balls to spare.

Ashutosh’s innings was characterized by his calm demeanor under pressure and his ability to find boundaries at crucial moments. He was well-supported by IPL debutant Vipraj Nigam, who contributed a quickfire 39 off 15 balls. Their 55-run partnership for the seventh wicket injected momentum into the chase and kept DC’s hopes alive.

Earlier in the match, LSG posted a competitive total of 209 for 8, thanks to explosive innings from Nicholas Pooran (75 off 30 balls) and Mitchell Marsh (72 off 38 balls). Despite their efforts, DC’s bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav (2 for 20) and Mitchell Starc (3 for 42), managed to restrict LSG in the latter half of their innings, preventing them from reaching an even more daunting score. ​

the Impact Player rule in the IPL has been a topic of debate since its inception in 2023. This rule allows teams to substitute a player into the starting eleven at any time during the match. In this game, Ashutosh Sharma was brought in as an Impact Player, and his match-winning performance has been cited as a testament to the rule’s potential to keep games exciting.

Ashutosh’s journey to this point has been inspiring. He made his IPL debut on April 4, 2024, for the Punjab Kings, where he played a crucial knock of 31 runs off 17 balls. In the 2025 IPL auction, he was signed by the Delhi Capitals for ₹3.80 crore, a decision that has already paid dividends with his stellar performance against LSG. ​