Ashutosh Sharma smashes epic century on English club debut; Kevin Pietersen overjoyed

Delhi Capitals (DC) young talent Ashutosh Sharma has begun his English club cricket stint with a commanding century on debut. Ashutosh's impressive batting performance earned praise from England cricket legend Kevin Pietersen, who served as a mentor for Delhi Capitals during the IPL 2025 season.

The cricketer was acquired by Delhi Capitals for ₹3.8 crore before IPL 2025. Sharma scored 204 runs at an average of 29.14 and a strike rate of 160.62. He played an unbeaten 66 runs off just 31 balls in DC’s narrow win over Lucknow Super Giants. Ashutosh had limited opportunities to bat in the tournament.

Ashutosh Sharma Smashes Century on English Club Debut for Wigan CC

On May 31, Ashutosh Sharma made his debut for Wigan Cricket Club in the 2025 Liverpool and District Cricket Competition against Formby CC. He came to the crease at No. 5 with the team struggling at 17/3. Sharma added a 153-run stand with opener Aveen Dalugoda in just 23.4 overs.

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The batter adopted an aggressive approach and reached his century off 70 balls. He was dismissed for 100 runs, including eight boundaries and six sixes, at a strike rate close to 137. Sharma rescued Wigan from early trouble and made an instant impact in his first appearance for the club.

Wigan Collapsed After Ashutosh Sharma’s Dismissal

Wigan Cricket Club collapsed after Ashutosh’s dismissal, losing four wickets for just 25 runs to slip from 170/3 to 195/7 by the 41st over. The team failed to regain momentum and were eventually bowled out for 241 in the 52nd over.

During the chase, Formby CC got off to a strong start as Tom Billington and Ian Cockbain added a 91-run opening stand. Billington fell in the 16th over to Bradley Barrow. Cockbain then shared a 41-run partnership with Jack Carney for the third wicket before being dismissed by Jordan Hampson.

Formby were reduced to 169/5, but Carney and Larry Edward added 48 runs for the sixth wicket. After Edward’s dismissal to Barrow, Carney and George Darwood guided their team to victory in the 52nd over.

Kevin Pietersen Overjoyed as Ashutosh Sharma Smashes Century on English Club Debut

Delhi Capitals mentor Kevin Pietersen expressed his delight after Ashutosh Sharma scored a century on his debut in English club cricket. Pietersen stated that Ashutosh had arrived in the UK and notched up a hundred on the very same day.

“Ashutosh arrives in the UK today and guess what…? He scores a hundred same day! Some guy! ????," Kevin Pietersen tweeted on Saturday evening.

Ashutosh arrives in UK today and guess what…? He scores a hundred same day!
Some guy! 🩵

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) May 31, 2025

Before heading to England, Ashutosh had played 14 List A and 44 T20 matches but was yet to notch a century in professional white-ball cricket. He played eight games in first-class cricket, scoring 370 runs at an average of 28.46 with a highest score of 123.

He’s not the only Indian cricketer playing club cricket in England this season. Wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat, who went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, joined Dulwich Cricket Club for the Surrey Championship, scoring 134 off 108 balls on debut against Esher CC.

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