When he brushed Jasprit Bumrah for a massive six, Ashutosh Sharma produced one of the most thrilling moments of the current IPL 2024 season thus far.
Ashutosh Sharma gave one of the most thrilling performances of the current IPL 2024 season on April 18 when he hit a massive six off Jasprit Bumrah during Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) run chase against Mumbai Indians (MI). His bravery was ultimately in vain, though, as PBKS lost their fifth season.
In the tenth over, behind 193, the Punjab-based team was suffering at 77/6 when Ashutosh, 25, came to the plate. At that point, the needed rate was 10.88. Sharma launched a methodical attack. Sharma has established himself as a six-hitting machine by clearing the ropes 43 times in just 18 T20 innings.
When he faced Bumrah, the tournament’s top wicket-taker, in the 13th over, it was his best moment. Ashutosh went low and across his off-stump to ramp a draw into the stands behind square leg, playing a free hit after Bumrah overstepped. With 28 balls, Ashutosh scored 61 runs, two boundaries, and seven sixes.
“Hitting a sweep shot off Jasprit Bumrah was my dream.” These are the shots I have been practicing. Since it’s a cricket match, it happens frequently. We must pay attention to our procedure. “I believed I could win when I was playing,” Ashutosh remarked during a post-game press conference.
Also read: In T20 format, you do want to create an impression during the opening two overs when the ball swings: Bumrah Jasprit
Made a significant impact on me and changed my game: Sharma Ashutosh
Ashutosh attributed his increased confidence to a motivational conversation he had with Sanjay Bangar, the Head of Cricket Development at Punjab.
“You’re not a slogger; you play proper cricketing shots and you should focus on [honing] that,” Sanjay [Bangar] father told me. His little remark and his confidence-boosting gesture were what really changed things for me and elevated my game. Now all I’m trying to do is follow it,” Ashutosh remarked.
See also: Hardik Pandya fined INR 12 lakh for Punjab Kings sluggish over rate
After Suryakumar Yadav’s 78 had propelled Mumbai to 192/7, Punjab fell nine runs short and were bowled for 183 despite Ashutosh’s late onslaught. Bumrah and Gerald Coetzee shared six wickets between them.
Following their loss to the Hardik Pandya-led team, PBKS dropped to ninth place in the standings with four points. Their next game is at home on April 21 against Gujarat Titans.
