District cricket competition

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Ashutosh Sharma does not think there’s been any major transition in his playing career, but the right-handed batter firmly believes that visualisation and constant practice will fetch him more success when the pressure is high on him as a finisher for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026.

"There is no such transition. I am enjoying playing cricket and enjoying playing with DC. I am having loads of fun while playing. The only difference is that in the first year, I was new. In the second year, the expectations of the team and everyone increase. So, there is a bit of pressure, but I am enjoying playing under pressure," Ashutosh, who hails from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh, told IANS in an exclusive conversation ahead of IPL 2026 starting on March 29.

After bursting onto the IPL scene with sizzling cameos for Punjab Kings in 2024, Sharma spent the 2025 season building his reputation as a finisher at DC -- scoring 204 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 161. All of that began with an unbeaten 66 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the side DC will face in Lucknow on April 1, as Ashutosh announced himself as a finisher of genuine quality.