Punjab Kings found a new gem in the form of uncapped batter Ashutosh Sharma who hit some exquisite shots to almost take his team across the line in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match against Mumbai Indians on Thursday. With his 28-ball 61, Ashutosh took Punjab close to Mumbai’s total of 192 runs but his dismissal brought an end to the hosts’ chase of the target that looked impossible at one point of time. While Ashutosh hit 7 sixes during his stay at the crease, his finest attempt came against Jasprit Bumrah when he dispatched a yorker to the stands.
Ashutosh left Mumbai Indians bowlers rattled, smashing them all across the park. While he was expected to go after MI bowlers like Gerald Coetzee, Akash Madhwal and Hardik Pandya, it was his stunning sweep six against Bumrah that left everyone in awe.
Ashutosh Sharma’s sweep six against Jasprit Bumrah:
Even former India pacer Zaheer Khan admitted being stunned seeing Ashutosh’s six against Bumrah.
“But tonight looked like Ashutosh was in the zone and that shot, which he played off Bumrah. No one, I mean, no one we’ve seen can play that kind of sweep shot to Bumrah, anticipating that yorker, going ahead and then yet managing,” said Zaheer on Jio Cinema after the match.
“Well, I mean four down. Who would have given them any chance of getting back in this game? But these two guys, it’s just unbelievable stuff.”
“And they’ve already secured those two points for Punjab. Earlier, when both of these guys batted together. Shashank, obviously that time was a hero,” added Zaheer.
After the match, Ashutosh also admitted that he had practiced the sweep shot multiple times and it was his dream to execute it against Bumrah. In the game, hence, the PBKS star managed to fulfil his dream.
