Punjab Kings (PBKS) batsman Ashutosh Sharma, 25, once again made a blinder for his team in the Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024) by shining with the bat against Mumbai Indians (MI) in the match number 33 of the competition on Thursday, April 18 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh.
The Madhya Pradesh-born player has been extremely impressive with his performances in the current edition of the Indian Premier League. Ashutosh Sharma has played some sensational innings while batting down the order and caught the attention of many.
In his first three innings in the Indian Premier League 2024, Ashutosh Sharma produced impressive knocks of 31, 33* and 31 runs respectively against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians.
His finest hour came in the match against Mumbai Indians as he single-handedly changed the momentum of the game and brought his team back into the match from a losing position. He smashed 61 runs off 28 balls, with 2 fours and 7 sixes, but could not help the team win the match as they lost by 9 runs.
Two of their six that caught everyone’s attention were Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Madhwal. On the fifth ball of the 13th over, Ashutosh swept Jasprit Bumrah yorker for a sensational six, while on the fourth ball of the 16th over, he smashed Akash Madhwal with a reverse scoop over short third for a six.
Watch: Ashutosh Sharma’s Sensational Six
Confidence and composure! ✨
Ashutosh Sharma reaches his IPL Maiden fifty and has kept the chase well and truly alive! 🔥
Watch the match LIVE on @StarSportsIndia and @JioCinema 💻📱 #TATAIPL | #PBKSvMI pic.twitter.com/YUIR7gn9Bu
– IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 18, 2024
pic.twitter.com/NTMGVldJ5p
– Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (@Hanji_CricDekho) April 18, 2024
Hardik Pandya and Sam Curran praise Ashutosh Sharma
Speaking after the match, Hardik Pandya termed Ashutosh Sharma’s innings as incredible and praised him for playing a sensational knock under pressure. Hardik Pandya said:
“Unbelievable – to come in and play like that (Ashutosh’s knock). Almost every ball hits the middle. Happy for him and happy for his future.”
Punjab Kings captain Sam Curran also praised Ashutosh Sharma for his brilliant innings. Sam Curran was also amazed that Ashutosh swept Jasprit Bumrah for a six. Sam Curran explained:
“Another incredible knock from the youngster (on Ashutosh), but another close defeat. It’s very difficult, you want to lose close games rather than get beaten completely, but we have lost a lot of wickets early on, the way the younger boys have “So close to the team it’s encouraging (about Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma, they have incredible confidence, you see a guy like Ashutosh have the confidence to play the sweeps and big hits against the pacers, it’s great to see them in action.”
Talking about the match, Mumbai Indians returned to winning ways by defeating Punjab Kings by 9 runs in an absolutely thrilling match. Jasprit Bumrah was awarded Man of the Match for once again putting in an impressive spell and playing the role of MVP in the five-time Indian Premier League 2024 champions’ victory.