Remaining unbeaten with 66 runs off 31 balls, Ashutosh was undoubtedly the hero of the match—an innings like this is rare. The Visakhapatnam pitch was flat, and chasing 209 runs was quite achievable.
However, Delhi Capitals found themselves in trouble right at the start. Losing three wickets for just seven runs, a comeback seemed nearly impossible. Yet, Vipraj Nigam and Ashutosh Sharma almost pulled off the miracle.
With no wickets in hand, the two batters kept chasing what seemed like an impossible target. Vipraj scored 39 off 15 balls before getting out, making the chase even tougher as there was no proper support left for Ashutosh at the other end. In the last three balls of the 18th over, Ashutosh struck two sixes and a four, leaving 22 runs required off the last two overs with two wickets in hand—the match was now alive.
The 19th over began with a boundary, followed by two dot balls and Kuldeep Yadav’s run-out, increasing the tension. However, Ashutosh remained composed. Off the last three balls of the over, he collected 12 runs—a four, a six, and a double—bringing the equation down to six runs needed off the final over with only one wicket remaining.
The last over started with drama. Mohit Sharma, attempting to nudge the first ball, failed to make contact. Rishabh Pant missed a stumping opportunity, and even a review for LBW went in vain. On the second ball, Mohit managed a single, leaving five runs required off four balls. Then came the winning shot—Ashutosh smashed a six straight over long-off, sealing the victory in spectacular fashion.
It was an unbelievable finish as Delhi, after being seven runs for three wickets, won the match by one wicket with three balls to spare. Ashutosh’s unbeaten 66 off 31 balls made him the undeniable hero—an innings that doesn’t happen every day!
