Ashutosh Sharma, the 26-year-old finisher who impressed during IPL 2024 with Punjab Kings, is drawing attention as a potential key player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2025. With RCB looking for a finisher to fill the void left by Dinesh Karthik’s retirement, Ashutosh appears to be an ideal candidate to take on the crucial role in the lower batting order.
A standout debut season
Ashutosh had a stellar IPL debut season with Punjab Kings, contributing impactful knocks down the order. Despite being retained by Punjab, the franchise could only keep two uncapped players, forcing them to release Ashutosh. Known for his quickfire innings, Ashutosh scored 164 of his 189 runs batting at number eight, maintaining an average of 41 and a strike rate of 202.47. His ability to deliver under pressure makes him a valuable asset for any team.
RCB’s interest in Ashutosh
Ashutosh recently attended RCB’s trials, where he was evaluated by the team’s Director of Cricket Mo Bobat and batting coach Dinesh Karthik. While his inclusion in the squad is yet to be confirmed officially, he was also a hot property at Ravichandran Ashwin’s mock IPL auction, where RCB bid aggressively to secure him for ₹2.75 crore.
Filling Karthik’s shoes
Dinesh Karthik, one of IPL’s most successful finishers, left a significant gap in RCB’s batting lineup. Over his IPL career, Karthik amassed nearly 3000 runs while batting in the lower middle order, with over 800 runs coming for RCB alone. His retirement has created a need for a dependable finisher, and Ashutosh Sharma could be the answer.
Karthik, now RCB’s batting coach, can mentor Ashutosh to develop his game further. With Karthik’s guidance, Ashutosh could expand his batting capabilities to perform consistently from positions five to seven, in addition to his proven skills at number eight.
The road ahead for Ashutosh
While Ashutosh’s IPL career is still in its infancy, his potential is undeniable. If RCB decides to acquire him officially during the IPL 2025 auction, it could be a game-changing move for both the player and the franchise. His power-hitting and composure under pressure make him an exciting prospect, and with the right coaching and opportunities, Ashutosh Sharma could become one of IPL’s premier finishers.
For RCB fans, the idea of Ashutosh playing alongside Virat Kohli and being groomed by Dinesh Karthik is an enticing prospect. Only time will tell if the young finisher can live up to these expectations and become a vital cog in RCB’s IPL 2025 campaign.