'Was sinking into depression' - PBKS star Ashutosh Sharma recalls decision to move from MP

The intended role of an Impact Player is to have a favourable transformation on the nature of the game for their side. Punjab Kings' Ashutosh Sharma has done just that for his team in IPL 2024 as he played a critical role in the three-wicket victory against Gujarat Titans.

Coming into the game with PBKS requiring 50 in 4.3 overs, the job was cut out for Ashutosh and Shashank Singh at the crease. Ashutosh was going at a run-a-ball as he could garner only seven runs off his first seven balls. However, he cut loose by smacking Azmatullah Omarzai for three fours in the 18th over. Although he could not stay till the very end, he did his job as his 17-ball 31 proved essential in Punjab's win.

Meanwhile, the Ratlam-born cricketer recalled the time when he was dropped from the Madhya Pradesh setup despite a quickfire knock in a practice match, with Chandrakant Pandit being appointed as the coach in 2020. He said his daily routine entailed going to the gym and retiring at his hotel room and he gradually plummeted into depression,  not knowing what his shortcoming was. 

"I would go to the gym and retire to my hotel room. I was sinking into depression, and no one told me what my fault was. A new coach had joined Madhya Pradesh and he had strong likes and dislikes and despite scoring 90 odd in 45 balls in a trial match, I was dropped from the team," Ashutosh was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Also Read: Confidence was there because coaches and management believed in me: Ashutosh Sharma

Even though he had three half-centuries in the previous Syed Ali Mushtaq Trophy from six games, Ashutosh alleged that he wouldn't be allowed to even step foot in the ground, which ultimately made him spiral into a depressive loop.

"I had three fifties in six Mushtaq Ali games in the previous season yet I wouldn't even be allowed to go to the ground. I was very depressed," he added.

Also read: What is Ashutosh Sharma's salary in IPL 2024?

Sanjay Bangar, the current Director of Cricket of PBKS, aa seasoned campaigner for Railways, was one of the first people to identify Ashutosh's prowess, after he scored a record-equalling 11-ball half-century against Arunachal Pradesh in SMAT 2023.