25-year-old Ashutosh Sharma made headlines with his stunning knock yesterday against Mumbai Indians. However, his sensational big-hitting show for Punjab Kings against 5-time champions Mumbai Indians went in vain as he failed to take the team home and eventually lost by 9 runs. He has scored 156 runs from just 4 matches at a staggering strike rate of 205 as well.

His heroic 28-ball 61 helped PBKS recover from 14 for 4 while chasing 193 against a Jasprit Bumrah-led Mumbai Indians bowling attack in Mullanpur on Thursday as well.

PBKS lost the game to MI

Speaking after his sensational knock, he said, “Sanjay sir told me ‘you are not a slogger, you can play proper cricketing shots and focus on it’. That small statement has made a huge impact. I have been following that only. I am not a hard-hitter. I play proper cricketing shots. That has changed my game. Back home, I was working with my coach Amit Khurasia. He also told me that the longer I stay in the middle, the more the chances of my team winning. Yes, I have missed getting the job done in 2 games. But, this is cricket. You have to keep working on your game.”

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While Ashutosh Sharma was hitting sixes effortlessly, his sweep against Jasprit Bumrah stole the show. Off a free hit, he moved across the off-stump and swept a Bumrah yorker into the deep-fine leg stands, a shot that left everyone in awe.

“It was my dream to sweep Bumrah. I kept practising for it. But, it came against the world’s best bowler. It’s okay. It’s part of the game,” Ashutosh said.

Ashutosh Sharma also credited Sanjay Bangar, coach Trevor Bayliss and captain Shikhar Dhawan for keeping faith in him. However, he had a tough time during his days in Madhya Pradesh but has done well for Railways in domestic cricket. He has had red-ball success too as he hit a hundred in his Ranji Trophy debut earlier in the season as well.

“Winning and losing is part of the game” – Ashutosh Sharma

“The celebration was for Sanjay Bangar sir. I am working hard with him. He gave me a chance and kept belief in me. Our head coach Trevor Bayliss, Shikhar Dhawan, everybody believed me, so it was for them,” he added.

He also said that the team is heading in the right direction and is not far away from winning matches. He also opined on their batting woes in the game.

“We are working hard. Our intent is good. Winning and losing is part of the game. It matters how you are playing, and we are playing well as a team. If we continue in the same vein of form, we will do better and win the games,” the 25-year-old said. “It’s a part of the game. Sometimes, the opener score runs, and sometimes the middle orders do. This keeps happening. It’s a team game. We all have to do well. We have to focus on our process and not on winning and losing. If the process is correct, we will keep going in the right direction.”