When Ashutosh Sharma, Punjab Kings’ talented batter, was dismissed, Gerald Coetzee of Mumbai Indians struck a pivotal blow. Contrasting emotions emerged – Preity Zinta, PBKS owner, felt saddened, while Coetzee exulted in success. This moment impacted the IPL 2024 encounter.
Ashutosh’s explosive 61 off 28 deliveries featured seven soaring sixes alongside two boundaries, keeping Punjab in the 193-run chase. His 25-year-old might powered a 50+ eighth-wicket stand with Harpreet Brar. Though the right-hander’s solo effort kept hopes alive, Coetzee eventually got him, finding Mohammad Nabi at deep mid-wicket. That dismissal at Mullanpur on April 18 proved significant.
Watch Preity Zinta and Gerald Coetzee react to Ashutosh Sharma’s wicket below:
The reaction of Preity Zinta after Ashutosh Sharma got out. pic.twitter.com/LllcPz4yqv
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 18, 2024
Ashutosh, who is from Madhya Pradesh, has been quite steady in IPL 2024. He has scored 31 (16), 33*(15), and 31 (17) against the Rajasthan Royals (RR), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and Gujarat Titans, respectively. He will now try to maintain his impressive form in the second half of the IPL.
Sam Curran Applauds Ashutosh Sharma’s Heroic Innings in PBKS vs MI IPL 2024 Clash
Sam Curran, the stand-in captain of Punjab Kings, praised Ashutosh Sharma and Jitesh Sharma. He was impressed with their comeback efforts. However, Curran felt disappointed to lose another close match. In the post-match show, Curran spoke these words:
“Another incredible knock from the young guy (on Ashutosh), but another close loss. It’s very tough, you want to lose close games rather then getting absolutely thumped, but we’ve lost a lot of wickets at the start.”
Sam Curran
He continued:
“The way the younger guys have taken the team so close is heartening (on Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma). They have incredible confidence, you see a guy like Ashutosh having the confidence to play the sweeps and the big hits against pacers, it’s so great to watch them in action.”
Sam Curran
Curran has also trusted his squad to turn things around when they face GT in Mullanpur on April 21. He concluded:
“It’s disheartening to lose close games, but there are a lot of positives in this team. We still have the belief in us, we believe we can turn this around, the sun will come up tomorrow and we will hopefully get on a winning run.”
Sam Curran
With the loss, PBKS fell to ninth in the points table, with only two victories in seven games. They have now lost three straight games against SRH, RR, and MI.