Mullanpur: Punjab Kings (PBKS) batter Ashutosh Sharma, who caught the attention of fans worldwide with his blinder against Mumbai Indians (MI), said it was his dream to hit a sweep ‘against the world’s best bowler’ Jasprit Bumrah.
Despite Ashutosh’s heroics, who almost pulled off the heist for Punjab, Jasprit Bumrah (3/21) and Gerald Coetzee’s (3/32) superb spells coupled with a scintillating 78-run knock from Surya Kumar Yadav helped Mumbai Indians edge Punjab Kings by nine runs in a thrilling match at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur.
Mumbai Indians survived a splendid Ashutosh (61 off 28) blitz after Suryakumar Yadav’s 78(53) had helped the visitors post 192/7. Chasing 193, Punjab were bundled out for 183 with Shashank Singh (41) and Ashutosh (61) scoring the highest runs for their team.
During his 28-ball stay at the crease, Ashutosh hammered seven maximums. Ashutosh admitted that he rehearsed the “dream shot off Bumrah” multiple times in the nets.
The 25-year-old took full advantage of the MI spearhead’s overstep in the over, dropped down on one knee, and swept the delivery for a six in the 13th over.
“It was my dream to hit a sweep shot off Jasprit Bumrah. I have been practising these shots. It’s a game of cricket so it’s very common. we have to focus on our process. When I was playing I had the belief to pull off a win,” Ashutosh said in a post-match presentation.
Ashutosh revealed his conversations with the team’s Head of Cricket Development Sanjay Bangar and said a “small statement” from him made a huge difference for the batter.