He had cut on his finger but insisted on playing, Delhi Capitals coach praises Ashutosh Sharma

Dubai: A couple of days before Delhi Capitals opener against Lucknow Super Giants, Ashutosh Sharma was not even sure he would be playing in the match.

Despite having a cut on his finger the 26-year-old insisted the desire to play and it turned out to be a decision he would cherish for a long time. Ashutosh's unbeaten knock of 66 from just 31 balls ensured Delhi Capitals escaped from a difficult situation to register their first win in the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League.

"I want to mention about this, he had cut on his finger there was a chance he could have missed out on the game," Delhi Capitals coach Hemang Badani said.

"I had a chat with him two days prior to the game when he had that cut. I asked how are you feeling will you play and he said quite clearly 'I am playing the game I want to be in the middle.'

"There's one thing to speak off being in the middle and the desire to play. But to go in there to bat the way you batted 15 of 15 at one stage to 61 of 31 finishing off the game in style. Congratulations," Hemang Badani said.