All of India has been buzzing with just one name - Ashutosh Sharma. The Delhi Capitals (DC) star tonked a stunning knock of 66 runs from just 31 deliveries to help his side clinch a stunning 1-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2025. Now, the Railways head coach Nikhil Doru too has spoken about how Sharma showcased similar batting heroics on his Ranji Trophy debut.
It was a nail-biting encounter as Delhi Capitals (DC) emerged victorious by just a solitary wicket. But a huge credit for the win goes to Ashutosh Sharma. His magnificent knock helped the Capitals survive after being reduced to 65/5 within the first 7 overs of the innings.
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"The selectors were completely unwilling to pick him in Railways' squad for the Ranji Trophy. They said, 'Ashutosh doesn't know how to bat. He can only hit big shots'. I kept pushing for his selection terming him a necessity considering his ability to emerge as a game-changer. Ashutosh wasn't picked in the squad for the first three to four matches. However, he eventually got picked for the game against Gujarat, being fully aware that he would be definitely dropped in case of a failure as the selectors were still strongly against him," Doru told Times of India.
Railways head coach Nikhil Doru went on to explain how the selectors were unwilling to pick Ashutosh Sharma in the Ranji squad. He went on to recount how the selectors felt that Ashutosh could only play big shots. Doru claimed that Sharma wasn't picked for the first couple of matches. Eventually, on his debut against Gujarat, to came out all guns blazing.
Also Read: IPL 2025 - How Ashutosh Sharma Overcame Dark Days to Become Delhi Capitals’ Miracle Man?
Ashutosh Sharma surprised Selectors on Ranji Trophy Debut
"The odds were against Ashutosh as the match was being played at Valsad where Gujarat had an edge with the conditions quite bowler-friendly. There was also some controversy around the Railways lineup for the match as two different team sheets had been presented during the toss. One included Ashutosh's name while the other didn't. Due to this confusion, I had to send a bowler Karn Sharma out to bat before Ashutosh when we were 135/5 during our first innings, as we had to obtain permission from the BCCI regarding Ashutosh featuring in the match. It took 15-20 minutes to obtain permission. I was scared during that period of time as Ashutosh wouldn't have been able to do much in case we were eight wickets down," Doru added.
Deemed as a power hitter, Ashutosh Sharma holds a rare feat. He has gone on to slam the fastest fifty by an Indian batter in the T20 format of the game. He went on to reach his fifty from just 11 deliveries for Railways against Arunachal Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) back in 2023. Now in IPL 2025, Sharma went on to showcase his grit and composure by playing a stunning knock.
"Ashutosh is a big believer in visualisation. He focuses on visualising success and glory, then goes about executing it in the best possible manner. Ashutosh told me that he has visualised winning the IPL with DC this season," Doru concluded.
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