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.
During the 2026 IPL season, the 27-year-old scored 171 runs in eight matches at an average of 34.20 and an impressive strike rate of 181.91. Hampshire’s Director of Cricket, Giles White, believes Ashutosh’s arrival will provide a significant boost to the squad.
“We’re really pleased to sign Ashutosh for the One-Day Cup,” he said. “He is a player of great potential and has done well for Delhi Capitals in the IPL recently, so he knows what it’s like to perform to a high standard. We look forward to welcoming him into the group and seeing what he can do in a Hampshire shirt as we look to go one step further than last year in 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 just 11 balls while representing Railways against Arunachal Pradesh in 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 is also expected to slot into the lower middle order for Hampshire. Earlier this year, after steering Delhi Capitals to a thrilling victory over Rajasthan Royals, the 27-year-old said:
“Whenever the team wins, and you are not out, I feel it is always the best innings. Yes, I really enjoyed this innings. It is 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 always feel that as long as I am at the crease, I can win the game for my team.”
A media release from Hampshire on Monday read: “Hampshire Cricket has signed Indian all-rounder Ashutosh Sharma for the men’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup. Sharma, 27, plays for Delhi Capitals, who are co-owned by Hampshire owners GMR, in 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 career with his right-arm medium pace.”
“Sharma began his career with Madhya Pradesh in 2017 and has featured in 92 matches to date. He was first picked in 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 at 3:30 pm IST.
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