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Delhi Capitals' Ashutosh Sharma Confident with "Winning Mentality" for IPL 2026

Delhi Capitals batter Ashutosh Sharma has expressed high confidence in his team's balanced squad and winning mentality ahead of the IPL 2026 season. He highlighted the team's thorough pre-season preparations, with everyone looking confident and focused on playing good, dominant cricket. Sharma reflected on his sensational match-winning knock of 66 runs from 31 balls against Lucknow Super Giants last season, crediting his domestic experience for handling the pressure. He also praised captain Axar Patel and the coaching staff for creating a pressure-free environment where players can express themselves.

Key Points: Ashutosh Sharma on Delhi Capitals' IPL 2026 Confidence & Balance

  • Team is well-balanced and confident
  • Preparing with a winning mentality
  • Ashutosh recalls last season's match-winning 66
  • All IPL teams considered tough and equal
  • Captain Axar Patel praised for cool leadership
3 min read

Delhi Capitals well-balanced, going with a "winning mentality": Ashutosh Sharma ahead of IPL 2026

Delhi Capitals' Ashutosh Sharma reveals the team's winning mentality and balanced squad ahead of IPL 2026, recalling his match-winning knock from last season.

"We are going with a winning mentality. We want to play good cricket. We want to dominate. - Ashutosh Sharma"

By Vipul Kashyap, New Delhi, March 19

Ashutosh Sharma is confident ahead of representing Delhi Capitals for the second straight season in the Indian Premier League and believes his side is 'well-balanced' and everybody in the team 'wants to play good cricket' as the 19th edition is starting on March 28.

"We are very confident about the upcoming season. Our team is well-balanced. Everyone wants to win. We are going with a winning mentality. We want to play good cricket. We want to dominate," Sharma told ANI on Thursday.

Speaking about the pre-season preparations, the power-hitter batter said, "We are preparing very well. Our camp has just started. We had 3-4 camps before. We are well prepared mentally as well. The team is well-balanced. Everyone is looking confident."

Playing for the Delhi Capitals in the last IPL season, Sharma played a sensational, unbeaten 31-ball 66 as an Impact Player to lead the Capitals to a thrilling one-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants. Chasing 210, he smashed five sixes and five fours, securing victory with a final-over six after a 65/5 collapse.

Remembering his knock in that match, the 27-year-old said, "I was very confident. I was backing my ability. I was well prepared for that situation. I had seen a lot of situations like that in domestic cricket. I thought that I could win the match if I took the match deep, and I won the match."

Delhi Capitals will start their IPL 2026 campaign with a match against LSG on April 1 in Lucknow.

Debunking the question on the toughest team in the IPL, he said, "IPL is the world's best league. All teams are tough and equal. Every match is important. We have to win every match."

Speaking on the captain and the management, Sharma said, "Our captain (Axar Patel) is very cool. He doesn't put pressure on us. Our coach is also very good. He doesn't put pressure on us. He tells us to express ourselves. He doesn't put pressure on us. We handle the situation well."

After making his IPL debut in the 2024 season for the Punjab Kings, before moving to the Delhi Capitals in 2025, Ashutosh quickly made a reputation for himself, having scored 393 runs across 24 IPL matches at a strike rate of over 180.

Speaking about his role in the team, Sharma said, "Finisher is a tough job. I enjoy playing under pressure.I always prepare for it."

Calling Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav his close friends in the team, he said, "We talk a lot, I keep learning from them."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Good to see the positive mindset. But I hope this "winning mentality" translates into actual wins. DC has had strong squads before but faltered in crunch moments. The pressure on Axar as captain will be immense. Wishing them luck!
A
Ananya R
As a Delhiite, I'm so excited! đŸ¥³ We need that trophy finally. Players like Ashutosh give us hope. His strike rate is insane. If he and the other finishers fire, no target is safe. The opening match against LSG is going to be a cracker!
V
Vikram M
Respectfully, I feel the article and the player's comments are a bit repetitive. "Well-balanced", "no pressure", "winning mentality" – we hear this from every team before the season. I want to see specific strategies, especially for our sometimes fragile middle order. Actions speak louder than words.
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Karthik V
His journey from domestic cricket to IPL finisher is inspiring for many young players. Talent + preparation = success. Hope he has a great season. The camaraderie with Axar and Kuldeep is good for team spirit. Jai Hind!
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Michael C
The Impact Player rule really helped showcase talents like Ashutosh. That 66 off 31 was one of the innings of the season. DC's success might hinge on how they use their impact subs. Interesting season ahead!

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