IPL 2025 Exclusive: 'Told Commentators That Ashutosh Sharma Can Pull It Off', Says Kevin Pietersen
The former England captain, who is mentoring Delhi Capitals, is optimistic that the team will fight till the better end and picked five players to watch out for.
When Ashutosh Sharma hit the winning six for Delhi Capitals versus Lucknow Super Giants to pull off a rescue victory in the ongoing IPL 2025 edition, he credited team mentor Kevin Pietersen with a "switch hit" celebration, a shot popularised by the ex-England batsman.
Sharma came into bat with the Delhi Capitals struggling at 65/5 and turned the match to clinch a nail-biting one-wicket victory in Visakhapatnam on Monday. The finisher smashed 66 off 31 balls.
"Absolutely incredible! What a great young man," Delhi Capitals mentor Kevin Pietersen told NDTV Profit on Sharma’s knock of 66—highest by an Indian batting at number seven or lower in a successful run chase in IPL history. "I am just so happy for him and the team," he said.
DC Vs LSG: The Rescue Act
The Delhi Capitals lost three wickets inside the first 10 balls, and key players kept getting out at regular intervals.
Sharma found solid support from debutant Vipraj Nigam, who left LSG stunned with a quick-fire 39 off just 15 balls.
"I was on commentary last night, during the 4th or 5th over, when we lost back-to-back wickets. At that moment, everything seemed gloomy. But I told the commentators, 'Guys, this game is not over until Ashutosh and Vipraj have batted.' I knew that because the team knew it. The team sees how these guys practice and hit the ball," Pietersen said.
In a game that swung like a pendulum until the very last over, DC managed to hold their nerve in a high-scoring contest, completing their highest successful chase in IPL history.
Pietersen's Top 5 Picks From Delhi Capitals
The former England Captain is optimistic that this Delhi team will fight till the better end of the tournament.
"The journey with this Delhi team is going to be a fascinated journey because we are going to try harder than any other team," said the ecstatic mentor.
On his top five picks from Delhi Capital, he said, "Sameer Rizvi, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Tristan Stubbs, and Jake Fraser-McGurk are my top picks."
"The sixth pick is the team and the management. I am hoping that the team thrills everyone this season," he said.
