Ashutosh Sharma believes his playing career hasn't undergone any major changes, but he firmly believes that visualization and constant practice will help him succeed, particularly when finishing crucial innings for Delhi Capitals in the 2026 IPL.
"There haven't been any major changes. I enjoy playing cricket and playing with DC. I find it a lot of fun. The only difference is that in the first year, I was new. In the second year, the team's and everyone's expectations increase. So, there's some pressure, but I enjoy playing under pressure," Ashutosh, who hails from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh, stated.
After making a splash in the 2024 IPL with impressive cameos for Punjab Kings, Sharma spent the 2025 season solidifying his reputation as a finisher for DC, scoring 204 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 161. This success began with an unbeaten 66 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), a match against which DC will face on April 1, as Ashutosh proved himself to be a reliable finisher.
He says that innings was a result of identifying and addressing a specific problem. "When I was playing for Punjab in the first year, I couldn't finish many matches. I could only finish in a few. After that year, I analyzed the situation and found that I was lacking in certain areas. I then started applying these changes in domestic cricket games, ensuring I could finish the match and then return to the dugout. When I came to Delhi, I also applied this strategy," he explained.
These statistics highlight Ashutosh's contribution in the closing stages of the IPL. He has primarily batted in the final four overs of IPL innings, maintaining an impressive strike rate of 188 during this phase, averaging a boundary every four balls and smashing 15 sixes.
His performance in chase situations is particularly noteworthy: an average of 37.3 and a strike rate of 171, compared to 18.9 and 152 when batting first. DC's pre-season camps, including simulated match scenarios, along with his participation in domestic cricket for Railways, have also honed Ashutosh's finishing skills.
"We play domestic cricket, so we learn a lot from it. I've learned a lot from it, and when I was playing, I knew I had to stay until the end. I was also applying that, and that's what it is. We plan in the same way in our pre-season camps - like we practice how to finish games," he said.
"So, we still play matches in the camp, and that's my practice. I'm given that situation, like which situation will come in the actual match. So, by doing all that, you apply it in the match, and many times it's possible that it will happen that way," he added.
Ashutosh emphasizes that the mental aspect of finishing involves visualization, a technique that many players employ consistently. "My mental preparation is to visualize the situation. So, I visualize this situation, and how do I get out of it? The key is visualization," he said.
Besides his success as a finisher, Ashutosh also faces challenges against slow left-arm orthodox bowlers, who have dismissed him four times in six innings with a strike rate of just 75 in those matchups. In the 2025/26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Ashutosh scored 117 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 170, demonstrating that his attacking instincts remain sharp despite having three single-digit scores.
Among the various influences Ashutosh encountered at DC, Kevin Pietersen – the franchise's mentor in 2025 – left a lasting impact. "From KP, I learned about hard work. I asked him, 'How did you get so many runs in such big matches? What did you do? How did you stay consistent?' He just told me that you believe in yourself and your hard work. That's what I learned," Ashutosh said.
Pietersen won't be part of the dugout for the 2026 IPL, but Ashutosh doesn't seem bothered. "No, it's a professional game. Someone will be there today, or they might not be in the future. It's normal in cricket," he said.
Outside of DC, Ashutosh is constantly guided by former Indian batter and long-time mentor Amay Khurasiya. "We talk. Whenever I doubt anything, I ask him, 'Sir, what can I do? What should I do?' So, yes, we talk," he said.
DC finished outside the playoffs in 2025 despite a promising start, and Ashutosh promised the Axar Patel-led side would deliver dominant performances.
"The preparations are going well. We are well-planned and well-prepared, and we are not focusing on last year. It's a fresh start, and we are thinking that we have to dominate and enjoy cricket. All the young players will express themselves in the game. That's what we are thinking," he said.
After the 2025 IPL, Ashutosh took an unusual detour, showcasing his love for cricket. His stint with Wigan CC for the 2025 Liverpool and District Cricket Competition began with him hitting a 70-ball century after arriving in England on the morning of the game, following a visa mix-up.
“I love playing cricket a lot. So, I took a rest, and then I went there. I had an issue with a flight (to Manchester). So, I went there and played the match directly. I enjoyed that moment too," he said.
Ashutosh comes on the back of being with the India 'A' team for the Rising Asia Cup and T20 World Cup warm-up games, and receiving a call-up is still etched in his memory. "Since childhood, every player's dream is to wear the India jersey. It was one of the best moments of my life.
“I got to learn a lot in terms of how the pressure of playing for the country is. The differences between playing for the country and the IPL are that the pressure of representing the country is a little different. So I got to learn all of this there," he added.
Life in the IPL is very hectic for players – ad shoots, social media commitments, and media appearances – have become a routine part of the calendar. Ashutosh acknowledged that the DC think-tank have managed things well for him.
"Of course, it is a little tough because practice and shoots are around. But our team management is such that they balance out everything. They know that we don't have to focus on these things for a long time," he said.
On what success in IPL 2026 looks like - runs, strike rate, milestones - and Ashutosh replies with happiness in finishing games and having the DC dugout erupt in joy. "In my opinion, success is happiness. I think that the happiness you have worked so hard for, and it's paying off, is huge.
“So, it's just happiness for me. Then, seeing everyone happy after making them win the match and those joyful scenes happening there - that is my happiness, and yes, that's my goal for IPL 2026," he concluded.