“I started going into depression,” IPL sensation recounts tough times after being left out of Madhya Pradesh’s side by coach Chandrakant Pandit

Ashutosh Sharma started off his career at Madhya Pradesh, but Chandrakant Pandit never gave him chances.


“I started going into depression,” IPL sensation recounts tough times after being left out of Madhya Pradesh’s side by coach Chandrakant Pandit

Ashutosh Sharma (Image via ESPN)

Ashutosh Sharma is the newest sensation in the Indian Premier League. The 25-year-old batter played two incredible knocks of 31 against Gujarat Titans and 33* against Sunrisers Hyderabad, showing off his incredible power hitting skills. 

Currently playing for Railways, not many know Ashutosh Sharma initially started his senior career at Madhya Pradesh. Making his debut in the 2017/18 season, he wasn’t a regular in their T20 team but slowly began to show why he deserved a spot in the side. 

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Despite his great form, in both senior level and U-25 levels, he was not in contention for the MP side. Their new coach, Chandrakant Pandit, had taken a dislike to him and dropped him from the squad, leading him into depression. 

In 2019, I scored 84 runs in my last game for Madhya Pradesh in T20. Next year, a professional coach (Chandrakant Pandit) joined the set-up who had his own liking and disliking. He did not like me. I scored in selection matches, around 90 off just 40-45 balls and still wasn’t picked when the team was announced. I started going into depression that even after performing well, I wasn’t getting picked. 
Ashutosh Sharma said in a media interaction

Sharma was made to stay in the team hotel, only moving between his room and the gym, calling it his lowest point. He continued to perform for the reserves of MP, but Pandit still did not give him a chance. He wasn’t selected for the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament squad despite scoring a 45-ball-90 in a selection match. 

Despite this, Sharma kept on working hard and played an important role in getting MP to the finals of the C. K. Nayudu trophy finals in 2020. This made him eligible to land a job at Railways, and he finally made his debut for the team in 2023. During his time at Railways, he made the fastest T20 fifty by an Indian, breaking Yuvraj Singh‘s record of a 12-ball fifty, and scored his maiden FC century as well. 

Ashutosh Sharma claims he was confident to win match against SRH 

Although he has featured in only two matches, Ashutosh Sharma has made the headlines as his power hitting and finishing skills have gotten attention. The 25-year-old scored a match-winning 31 against GT and almost won the match for Punjab Kings against SRH, taking the match till the last ball. 

Ashutosh Sharma
Ashutosh Sharma (Image via ESPN)

After the win against SRH, Sharma spoke to the press where he said he believed in himself throughout the match. He claimed he had the confidence to finish off the game and win PBKS two crucial points. 

I kept telling myself that I will do it. I had the confidence because coaches and management were backing me a lot. They had the belief that I could finish games. I carried that confidence and applied it in the middle.
Ashutosh Sharma said

Sharma credited his partner Shashank Singh, who also scored a match-winning 61* off 29 to help PBKS win the game. He said both played while being calm and knew they could finish off the match. 

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