Delhi Capitals’ victory over Rajasthan Royals on Friday night was more than just a headline-making effort from the marquee names in the side. The win also owed a lot to unsung contributors who stepped up at key moments, helping DC get back on track after three straight defeats.
Ashutosh Sharma was one of those crucial performers. When he walked in during the 16th over, Delhi still required 49 runs to chase down the target after Nitish Rana and KL Rahul had both departed in quick succession.
In that pressure phase, Ashutosh took control of the finishing job, striking 25 off 15 balls to bring the chase over the line. At the other end, Tristan Stubbs played his role effectively, ensuring DC closed out the game without any late drama.
After the match, Ashutosh said he was especially pleased to finally make a decisive impact with the bat this season. “Whenever the team wins, and you are not out, I feel it is always the best innings. Yes, I really enjoyed this innings,” he remarked.
He added that finishing is a role he genuinely enjoys, particularly when the team trusts him to bat in tight situations. “It is my role, and I enjoy being a finisher for my team. The team has trusted me to bat in these situations, and I enjoy playing in these moments. I always feel that as long as I am at the crease, I can win the game for my team.”
Delhi successfully chased a target of 226 in 19.1 overs, finishing with seven wickets in hand. While Mitchell Starc and Kyle Jamieson struck early to remove Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Rajasthan still managed to post a daunting total.
When asked what mindset he maintains when chasing a big score, Ashutosh offered a straightforward view: in T20 cricket, the contest is rarely settled early. “A score of 230 [225 in this case] is always a big score. No matter how you start, in T20 cricket, the game usually goes till the end. You cannot assume that the match will be finished early. So yes, it was a big total, but it going till the end is part of the game,” he said.
“RR bring out the best in him!” turned out to be more than just a catchy line. It was his third appearance of the season, and his earlier contributions came in smaller doses—14 against SRH and 19 versus CSK—though Delhi did not cross the line in those games.
At the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, however, Ashutosh faced his preferred opposition and delivered when it mattered. He said he has played around five to six matches against Rajasthan before, found runs, and watched his teams come out on top. “So yes, I enjoy batting against them,” he added.
Ashutosh, who was bought by Delhi after his breakout campaign with Punjab Kings in 2024, now shifts focus to the next challenge. Delhi Capitals host Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday, and the last time they met CSK, they suffered a defeat.
With that history in mind, the question naturally turned to whether DC were looking for revenge. Ashutosh made it clear the approach would be more process-driven than emotional. “Every day is a new day. You have to go in with a fresh mindset and a fresh thought. We will focus on one match at a time and not think about anything like revenge,” he said.
