Delhi Capitals batter Ashutosh Sharma has signed with Hampshire for the upcoming One-Day Cup in England. The hard-hitting middle-order batter has been a dependable finisher for the IPL franchise over the past two seasons, playing several impactful cameos.
Throughout the 2026 IPL season, the 27-year-old scored 171 runs in eight matches at a median of 34.20 and a powerful strike rate of 181.91. Hampshire’s Director of Cricket, Giles White, believes Ashutosh’s arrival will provide a big boost to the squad.
“We’re really pleased to sign Ashutosh for the One-Day Cup,” he said. “He’s a player of great potential and has done well for Delhi Capitals within the IPL recently, so he knows what it’s prefer to perform to a high standard. We look ahead to welcoming him into the group and seeing what he can do in a Hampshire shirt as we glance to go one step further than last yr within the competition,” he added.
Ashutosh Sharma Holds Record for Fastest T20 Fifty by an Indian
Ashutosh holds the record for the fastest T20 fifty by an Indian, reaching the milestone in only 11 balls while representing Railways against Arunachal Pradesh within the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Across all T20 cricket, including internationals, only Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee has scored a quicker half-century, taking just nine deliveries against Mongolia.
Ashutosh Sharma can also be expected to fit into the lower middle order for Hampshire. Earlier this yr, after steering Delhi Capitals to an exhilarating victory over Rajasthan Royals, the 27-year-old said:
“Each time the team wins, and also you will not be out, I feel it’s at all times the most effective innings. Yes, I actually enjoyed this innings. It’s my role, and I enjoy being a finisher for my team. The team has trusted me to bat in these situations, and I enjoy playing in these moments. I at all times feel that so long as I’m on the crease, I can win the sport for my team.”
A media release from Hampshire on Monday read: “Hampshire Cricket has signed Indian all-rounder Ashutosh Sharma for the lads’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup. Sharma, 27, plays for Delhi Capitals, who’re co-owned by Hampshire owners GMR, within the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“A batting all-rounder, Sharma has scored over 350 runs for Delhi Capitals across the last two IPL seasons, where he has averaged 31.25 with the bat at a strike rate of 170. In List A cricket, he has scored 458 runs in 21 matches and has taken six wickets in his profession together with his right-arm medium pace.”
“Sharma began his profession with Madhya Pradesh in 2017 and has featured in 92 matches so far. He was first picked within the IPL by Punjab Kings and made his debut as an Impact Substitute, where he smacked 31 off 17 balls, before being signed by Delhi Capitals for INR 3.80 crore ahead of the 2025 IPL.”
Hampshire will begin their One-Day Cup campaign against Yorkshire at Scarborough on Tuesday, with the match scheduled to start out at 3:30 pm IST.
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