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India's latest T20 sensation, Ashutosh Sharma - the six-hitting machine, impressed with his incredible power-hitting during the match against MI, smashing 61 off just 28 deliveries. In 18 T20 innings so far, Ashutosh has clubbed 43 sixes. In match 33 of the IPL 2024 season between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians, Ashutosh Sharma hit seven sixes to almost take Punjab Kings home in the chase of 193. Ashutosh's blinder put Punjab on the brink of an unlikely win against five-time champions Mumbai Indians. Despite Punjab's heartbreaking loss, it was that one six off the penultimate ball of the 13th over against Jasprit Bumrah, which is likely to make people talk for some time. Ashutosh's IPL career peaked when he slog-swept Jasprit Bumrah. He anticipated the yorker, went low and across his off stump, down on one knee and swept Bumrah over deep backward square leg.
Audacious Ashutosh Sharma sweeps Jasprit Bumrah's Yorker all the way
Despite Punjab's heartbreaking loss, it was that one six off the penultimate ball of the 13th over against Jasprit Bumrah, which is likely to make people talk for some time. Ashutosh's IPL career peaked when he slog-swept Jasprit Bumrah. He anticipated the yorker, went low and across his off stump, down on one knee and swept Bumrah over deep backward square leg. In match 33 of the IPL 2024 season between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians, Ashutosh Sharma hit seven sixes to almost take Punjab Kings home in the chase of 193.
Ashutosh Sharma is making this a night to remember ✨💥#PBKSvMI #TATAIPL #IPLonJioCinema #IPLinPunjabi pic.twitter.com/5HSkb7x7Vr
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) April 18, 2024
"It was my dream to hit a sweep shot off Jasprit Bumrah. I have been practising these shots. It's a game of cricket so it's very common. we have to focus on our process. When I was playing I had the belief to pull off a win," Ashutosh said in the post-match presentation.
Ashutosh Sharma credited a motivational chat with Punjab's Head of Cricket Development Sanjay Bangar for his sky-high confidence.
"Sanjay [Bangar] sir told me that, 'you're not a slogger; you play proper cricketing shots, and you should focus on [honing] that'. It was that small statement and a show of confidence from him that made a huge difference for me and turned my game. I'm now just trying to follow that," Ashutosh added.
Ashutosh's blinder put Punjab on the brink of an unlikely win against five-time champions Mumbai Indians. Coming in to bat at no.8 against Mumbai, Ashutosh Sharma had to rebuild the chase after Punjab Kings had slipped to 77 for 6 in the tenth over. It was the first time that he was batting inside the first 15 overs in the IPL. At that stage, the asking rate was 10.88 (116 off 64). Ashutosh almost single-handedly guided Punjab Kings to another miracle victory.
The Punch.ev Electric Striker of the Match between Punjab Kings & Mumbai Indians goes to Ashutosh Sharma. #TATAIPL | @Tataev | #PunchevElectricStriker | #BeyondEveryday | #PBKSvMI pic.twitter.com/TaK51gQh7p
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 18, 2024
Partnering with fellow uncapped player Shashank Singh (41), Ashutosh added 34 runs before unleashing an onslaught on MI bowlers, smashing 61 off just 28 deliveries. With three overs to go, PBKS needed only 25 runs. However, Ashutosh fell at the start of the 18th over, and Mumbai kept on putting pressure on helpless Punjab. Hosts Punjab Kings suffered their fifth loss, unfortunately, their fourth final-over defeat of the IPL 2024 season as Mumbai climbed from ninth to seventh on the points table.
An absolute rollercoaster of a game in Mullanpur comes to an end! 🎢
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 18, 2024
And it's the Mumbai Indians who emerge victorious in a nerve-wracking contest 🔥👏
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/m7TQkWe8xz#TATAIPL | #PBKSvMI pic.twitter.com/sLKVcBm9oy