"Absolute carnage!" Suryakumar Yadav praises Ashutosh Sharma after stunning finish in IPL 2025

India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav lauded Delhi Capitals' rising star Ashutosh Sharma after his match-winning knock against Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2025 thriller at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Playing as an Impact Sub, Ashutosh powered DC to a stunning last-over victory, smashing an unbeaten 66 off 31 balls. His sensational innings helped Delhi chase down a challenging 210-run target with just one wicket in hand.

Suryakumar, who captained Mumbai Indians in their season opener in Hardik Pandya’s absence, took to Instagram to acknowledge Ashutosh’s heroic effort. Sharing a picture of the batter, he wrote, “Grit, determination, self-belief at its best. Absolute carnage from Ashutosh Sharma.” The post quickly went viral, with fans celebrating both the young cricketer’s performance and Surya’s admiration.

Ashutosh’s fearless approach was the highlight of the chase. Initially cautious, he took 20 balls to reach 20 runs but then exploded, scoring 46 runs off his next 11 deliveries. His knock included five towering sixes, most of them down the ground, and he finished the game with a stunning maximum. Partnering with IPL debutant Vipraj Nigam, he turned the match around after DC was struggling at 113 for six.

Ashutosh credited his success to intense preparation and visualization. The Railways cricketer had shown glimpses of his finishing ability while playing for Punjab Kings last season but felt he had underperformed. Determined to seize his chances in IPL 2025, he worked on his game and delivered under pressure. “I missed out on finishing games last season. The whole year, I focused and visualized it. Had the belief that if I play till the last over, anything can happen,” he said after the match.

The 26-year-old also praised his young batting partner Vipraj Nigam for staying calm under pressure. “Well played to Vipraj. I asked him to keep hitting, and he was very composed. Want to dedicate this award to my mentor, Shikhar (Dhawan) paaji,” he added. Ashutosh’s performance has not only earned him recognition from senior players but has also established him as a future star in the making.

The Impact Player rule allowed Ashutosh to play the innings of his life, proving how game-changing the regulation can be. With his match-winning knock, he has sent a strong message to IPL franchises and Indian cricket fans, showing that he thrives in high-pressure situations.