Ashutosh Sharma

Ashutosh Sharma is an explosive batter who recently broke Yuvraj Singh’s 16-year-old record for the fastest T20 fifty by an Indian.

In only his second outing for Indian Railways, he walked out to bat at 131-4 with just 5 overs remaining. What ensued was utter carnage – 8 sixes and a solitary 4 from Sharma’s bat, as he brought up his record-breaking fifty from only 11 balls, finally being dismissed for a 12-ball 53 against Arunachal Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20).

Sharma’s innings, the second fastest T20 fifty in history, surpassed Yuvraj’s previous record set against England during the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007.

The Ratlam-born and Indore-raised Sharma was just 9 years old when Yuvraj hit 6 sixes off a Stuart Broad over in Durban. The now 25-year-old, who considers Ben Stokes as his idol, never imagined that he would break Yuvraj’s record one-day, but he is hoping the innings propels him to higher honours in future.

Sharma is currently playing his maiden season for Indian Railways having moved from Madhya Pradesh, with whom he represented in 2018-19. It was a difficult decision to move from his beloved State, but despite three 50-plus scores, including an 84 (51 balls) against Puducherry, he was overlooked by the State.

After three years away from the game, he returned to the domestic fold for Railways, and the rest, they say, is history. After his record-breaking 53 against Arunanchal, he would go on to register notable scores against Saurashtra (45 from 14 balls), Goa (28 from 19), and Andhra (43 from 12).

Sharma is now a genuine contender for IPL selection courtesy of his six-hitting ability. Whilst he aspires to get picked up at auction (Dec 2023), he is eager to consider his options should he not gain a contract. One of which is returning to the UK, where he has excelled previously (2,193 runs at 53.49 and 52 wickets at 20.54 for Middlesex Titans (2018), and Gravesend (2022-23), respectively), but he will consider all opportunities abroad moving forward.

One of the most exciting prospects in the market – Sharma represents an explosive batter, useful medium pacer, and a history-making signing for any club in 2024 and beyond.