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IPL 2025: The inside story of Ashutosh Sharma and Vipraj Nigam
After a fabulous match-winning performance in his debut match for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025), big-hitting batter Ashutosh Sharma has become a household name. The fourth match of IPL 2025 was played between the Delhi Capitals and the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. The thrilling encounter which went down the wire towards the final over where Ashutosh held his nerves remarkably well to seal the matters with a smashing hit for six. The Railways cricketer notched up a superb unbeaten innings of 66 runs off only 31 deliveries that included 5 sixes and as many fours. He was well supported by Vipraj Nigam who batted incredibly well on his debut in the Indian Premier League.
IPL 2025 is the perfect redemption platform for Ashutosh Sharma
Interestingly, Ashutosh Sharma came into the limelight during the previous edition of the Indian Premier League after he finished a few games and contributed with some important partnerships alongside Shashank Singh while playing for the Punjab Kings. The swashbuckling right-hander smacked a total of 189 runs in 11 matches at an excellent strike-rate of close to 170 that included a fifty as well. However, even after possessing a rare ability of hitting big sixes in the last few overs of a T20 game, the Punjab Kings team management decided not to retain him. But the Delhi Capitals showed a lot of faith in the youngster and bought him at a price of INR 3.80 Crore.
Not many people are still aware about the struggles and disappointments that Ashutosh Sharma has faced in his cricketing career so far. Sharma dealt with a massive setback when the current Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) head coach Chandrakant Pandit once reportedly dropped him from the state team, saying that he is not capable to play at this level across the three formats of the game. During an interview in April 2024, the big-hitting batter opened up on his struggles and rejections.
"There was a time when I wasn't even allowed to get a feel of the cricket ground," Ashutosh Sharma had said to PTI in 2024, after smashing 31 off 17 balls to help Punjab Kings beat Gujarat Titans.
"I would go to the gym and retire to my hotel room. I was sinking into depression and no one told me what my fault was. A new coach had joined Madhya Pradesh and he had strong likes and dislikes and despite scoring 90 odd in 45 balls in a trial match, I was dropped from the team. I had three fifties in six Mushtaq Ali games in the previous season yet I wouldn't even be allowed to go to the ground. I was very depressed," he added.
Ashutosh Sharma stats in domestic cricket
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FC | 8 | 13 | 0 | 370 | 123 | 28.46 | 352 | 105.11 | 1 | 2 | 37 | 17 | 1 | 0 |
| List A | 14 | 13 | 0 | 297 | 75 | 22.84 | 235 | 126.38 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 17 | 5 | 0 |
| T20s | 32 | 29 | 6 | 838 | 84 | 36.43 | 454 | 184.58 | 0 | 8 | 65 | 61 | 6 | 0 |
Who is Vipraj Nigam IPL 2025?
On the other hand, even after coming out as an Impact Player in the Delhi Capitals vs Lucknow Super Giants IPL 2025 match on Monday, Ashutosh Sharma played the lead role midway during the tricky run-chase. However, things would not have been the same if it wasn't for bowling all-rounder Vipraj Nigam. Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, the right-hander showed great temperament and talent at the biggest stage both in the batting as well as bowling departments. When Vipraj came on to the crease, the Delhi Capitals found themselves in a big trouble at 113 for 6 and the 20-year-old started hitting the opposition bowlers in different parts of the ground right from the word go.
He played an exceptional cameo of 39 runs off just 15 balls that included 5 fours and 2 sixes. Vipraj also added a crucial partnership of 55 runs alongside Ashutosh to bring the Delhi Capitals back in the game. The right-arm legspinner also contributed with the ball having taken the wicket of LSG opener Aiden Markram.
During the IPL 2025 mega auction, the Delhi Capitals bought Vipraj Nigam for a price of INR 50 Lakh. He first came into the attention for his fine performance in the UP T20 League 2024. The leggie managed to pick up as many as 20 wickets while playing a total of 12 matches for the UP Falcons at an economy of 7.45 and a strike-rate of 11.15.
