Image: Ashutosh Sharma revealed the reason of his depression after being dropped from the team / © BBC
After being the hero for Delhi Capitals with a match-winning 66* against Lucknow Super Giants, Ashutosh Sharma’s past struggles have resurfaced, shedding light on his difficult journey. The 25-year-old Railways cricketer faced a major career setback between 2020 and 2022 when he reportedly fell out of favor with Chandrakant Pandit, then coach of Madhya Pradesh and now associated with Kolkata Knight Riders. Despite scoring 90 off 45 balls in a trial game and three fifties in six Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches, Ashutosh was mysteriously dropped from the team.
His exclusion led to depression, as he was not even allowed to step onto the ground or take part in team activities. “I would hit the gym and lock myself in my room”, he recalled, admitting he had no clue what his fault was. The turning point came when Railways offered him a job, providing both financial stability and a fresh start.
Ashutosh grabbed the opportunity, equaling Yuvraj Singh’s record in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which earned him a Punjab Kings contract. In 2025, Delhi Capitals picked him, and he made a statement with his heroic knock of 66* off 31 balls, snatching victory from LSG and proving his resilience after years of mental struggles and professional rejection.