Ashutosh Sharma was born on 15 September 1998 in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, India. From a young age, he showed a keen interest in cricket. Due to limited facilities in his hometown, he moved to Indore at the age of eight to train at the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association’s residential academy. This move was a big sacrifice and challenge, both financially and emotionally, but his family supported him. To help sustain himself in those early days, Ashutosh even did small odd jobs—once umpiring local matches just to afford lunch—while keeping his struggles mostly private so as not to worry his family.
Domestic Cricket Career & Breakthroughs
Ashutosh made his Twenty20 debut for Madhya Pradesh in the 2017-18 zonal T20 competitions, specifically on 12 January 2018. Later, in October 2019, he played his first List A match in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Over time, he shifted from Madhya Pradesh to Railways to seek more opportunities. A major breakthrough came in October 2023 during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where Ashutosh broke a long-standing record: he scored a fifty in just 11 balls, becoming the fastest Indian to do so in T20s, surpassing Yuvraj Singh’s record.
IPL Journey & Key Performances
Ashutosh’s IPL journey began in the 2024 season, when he was bought by Punjab Kings for ₹20 lakh. He made his debut on 4 April 2024 against Gujarat Titans, making a quickfire 31 off 17 balls as an “impact player,” helping Punjab Kings chase down a large total.In one match against Mumbai Indians that season, he struck 61 off 28 balls, further asserting his ability to hit big under pressure.
In the IPL 2025 mega auction, his value rose significantly when Delhi Capitals purchased him for ₹3.80 crore. He made a memorable contribution in their first match of the season: coming into bat when DC were reeling at 65/5, he played a match-winning knock of 66 not out off 31 balls to help chase down 210 vs Lucknow Super Giants. This innings put him firmly in the spotlight as a clutch player.
Playing Style & Strengths
Ashutosh Sharma is primarily a right-handed batter, known for his aggressive stroke play, especially in the death overs of T20s. He has a fearless attitude, capable of hitting big shots and accelerating when required. His ability to remain calm under pressure has been highlighted in several matches; for example, when DC were under heavy pressure in the IPL 2025 match vs LSG, he paced his innings well and finished it with flair. While he isn’t a primary bowler, he occasionally bowls right-arm medium, mainly in domestic cricket. In longer formats (First Class), he has also shown that he can hold an innings, evidenced by a century (123) in one of his early FC matches.
Challenges & Personal Journey
Ashutosh’s path hasn’t been smooth. Growing up in a small town with limited financial resources, he had to move away from home at a young age. He admitted to doing umpiring jobs to buy meals in his early academy days to sustain his training.He also faced periods of uncertainty when opportunities were hard to come by. In U19 and early senior domestic matches, despite decent performances, he sometimes didn’t get enough chances. Eventually, changing teams (to Railways) gave him more exposure.
Mentorship has played a key role in his growth. He has often spoken about the guidance of former players and coaches like Naman Ojha and Amay Khurasiya, who helped him with technique, temperament, and navigating his early struggles.
Recent Stats & Key Achievements
- Fastest T20 fifty by an Indian player in October 2023 (11 balls) in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
- First-class cricket: 1 century (123) among a few FC matches, showing his ability in longer format.
- IPL 2024 & 2025: multiple impactful innings, especially with the bat under pressure. Strike rates in IPL games are very high, showing ability to score quickly.
Outlook & Potential
At age ~26 (as of 2025), Ashutosh Sharma is rapidly emerging as one of India’s exciting young talents, especially in T20s. His ability to perform in clutch situations and his recent IPL exploits suggest that if he continues to refine his technique and seize opportunities, he could be considered for higher honours. Given how competitive Indian batting is, especially in limited-overs formats, consistency will be key.
