While the league has evolved to a great extent in the last 16 years, its objective has remained the same. The Indian Premier League has lived up to its motto of “talent meets opportunity” and several examples of it have reverberated in the last one-and-a-half-decade.
Another such specimen has come out from the ranks of the Punjab Kings franchise.
Rishabh Pant update: Here’s what he will do and not do in IPL 2024
PBKS’ Ashutosh Sharma can’t wait to showcase his mettle
IPL side Punjab Kings’ new pick Ashutosh Sharma says he wants to make an impact with the bat for his franchise if he gets the opportunity, given that he has worked really hard — even punished himself — to reach this stage of his cricketing career.
Ashutosh, who has so far played four first-class games for Madhya Pradesh and scored a century, was picked up by the Punjab franchise for Rs 20 lakh ahead of the upcoming IPL.
During his days of struggle, Ashutosh, who hails from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh, even started umpiring so that he could afford lunch.
”When I left home, I did not have enough money. I used to go to a camp and I started umpiring in matches to afford lunch. We were a family of limited means, and it was hard to do everything on my own so early. But I never let it affect my family about my struggles as I did not want them to worry,” he said.
Ashutosh began his cricketing journey at a young age but due to lack of opportunities in Ratlam, he moved to Indore when he was just eight years old and started to train at the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association’s residential academy.
Such was his determination to excel that the youngster even punished himself by doing household chores if he hit a rough patch while playing U-19 cricket.
He felt the ”punishment” would bring discipline in his life and remind him of the ”sacrifices” he had made to reach this level.
”After doing so (household chores) for a month, I scored a hundred,” he said.
Last year, during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tie against Arunachal Pradesh, the right-handed batter smashed an 11-ball fifty, breaking Yuvraj Singh’s record for the fastest half-century in the shortest format.
”It was one of the most memorable moments of my career, along with getting picked for Punjab Kings,” Ashutosh said.
Now with an IPL contract in hand, Ashutosh wants to excel in the lucrative league and help the franchise win its maiden title.
”I want to express myself. I have worked so hard to reach here. I will work even harder now so I can help Punjab Kings win their first trophy,” the right-handed batter said.
IPL star banned for 12 months by ILT20 over SERIOUS BREACH of agreement