Punjab Kings have come close to winning games in IPL 2024, but suicidal mistakes or lacking support in the batting, bowling, and fielding departments have scripted their defeats. In the most recent game, they faltered at the start of their run chase, with the top order failing against Jasprit Bumrah and Gerald Coetzee. However, Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Singh once again stood firm to put Mumbai under pressure.
When they were at the crease, PBKS were favorites, but Bumrah’s clever change of pace ended Shashank’s innings. It didn’t impact Ashutosh, who continued hitting fours and sixes to bring up a sensational fifty. He hit a six like AB de Villiers on a free hit in the over, bowled by Akash Madhwal.
In the 16th over of Pubjab’s innings, Madhwal overstepped on the fourth delivery, and the batter got a chance to free his arms. He had already hit a six. The batter took his left leg to the onside and reverse-scooped the free hit over third man for a six. His stroke had shades of the legendary South African batter AB de Villiers.
Harbhajan was mighty pleased with the effort of the young batter. “Ashutosh Sharma is the second batter AB de Villiers who has played that shot. I haven’t seen anyone doing it over the years after ABD. De Villiers used to do it. Ashutosh made it look so easy. He is a talented batter, who is getting better after every game,” Harbhajan Singh said on Star Sports.
Sharma was dismissed after scoring 61 runs off 28 balls, and Punjab lost the game by 9 runs while chasing 193.
Bumrah was named the Player of the Match for his three-wicket haul.