Ashutosh Sharma has emerged as the most promising uncapped player in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with his aggressive batting style on the pitch. He was born on September 15, 1998, in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh. Ashutosh’s cricketing journey started when he started playing at the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association’s residential academy in Indore. He was coached by former Indian cricketer Amay Khurasiya.
Sharma made an explosive start to his domestic cricketing career. In October 2023, he set a new record by scoring 50 runs off just 11 balls during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy; the record was previously held by Yuvraj Singh. He went on to score 200 runs off 60 balls in the inter-railway match, displaying his ability to smash bowlers.
Sharma’s consistent performance in domestic cricket caught the eye of IPL scouts, which led to his acquisition by Punjab Kings for ₹20 lakh in the 2024 season. In his debut IPL match, he scored 31 runs off 17 balls, adding quick runs to the team’s total.
The 26-year-old’s hard-hitting playing style against the Mumbai Indians made him a national sensation. Sharma scored 61 runs off 28 deliveries, with a strike rate of 217.85. During the 2024 season of the IPL, he scored 189 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 167.25, making him a reliable finisher for Punjab Kings.
The right-hand batter has an impressive domestic cricket tally. In T20s, he has scored 772 runs in 31 matches at an average of 33.56 and a strike rate of 182.50, including seven fifties. He scored 123 runs against Gujarat when he made his T20 debut in January 2024, showcasing his ability to adapt across different formats.
Currently, Ashutosh Sharma remains a key player in the Punjab Kings squad, with his ability to accelerate providing momentum to innings during tough match situations.
