PBKS vs MI: 'No one can play a sweep shot off Bumrah' - Zaheer Khan heaps praise on Ashutosh Sharma

Mumbai Indians (MI) beat Punjab Kings (PBKS) by nine runs in match 33 of the IPL 2024 edition on Thursday (April 18) in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. Asked to bat first, Hardik Pandya-led side rode on Suryakumar Yadav's 78 and vital knocks from Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma to post 192-7. In reply, Punjab were 14-4 and further reduced to 111-7 before Shashank Singh (41) and Ashutosh Sharma (28-ball 61) revived the run-chase.Despite the duo's spirited fightback, Punjab ended at 183 all out in 19.1 overs.

Talking about Ashutosh, who has been one of the finds for Punjab along with Shashank, the youngster once again came out all guns blazing in a tough run-chase. The right-hander played some magnificent shots as his inning was laced with 2 fours and 7 sixes at 217.86. One of the highlights of his knock waswhen he swept an attempted yorker from Jasprit Bumrah for a big six. Bumrah, who ended as the Player-of-the-Match for 3 for 21, was going for a yorker but Ashutosh anticipated itand executed the shot perfectly to clear the ropes,leaving commentators and the crowd stunned.

Thus, Ashutosh -- who also played a vital knock along with Shashank in Punjab's close win over Gujarat Titans (GT) earlier in the season -- was lauded by many for his splendid knock. Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan lauded Ashutosh particularly for his shot selection versus Bumrah -- the leading wicket-taker of the ongoing edition (13 scalps).

Zaheer said on Jio Cinema, "But tonight looked like Ashutosh was in the zone and that shot, which he played off Bumrah. No one, I mean, no one we've seen can play that kind of sweep shot to Bumrah, anticipating that yorker, going ahead and then yet managing."

Not everyone is capable of hitting a sweep six to Jasprit Bumrah

Ashutosh Sharma is a Superstar 💥#PBKSvMI #PBKSvsMI pic.twitter.com/0Cg4AHwuWe — Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) April 18, 2024

Zak even lauded Shashank and added, "Well, I mean four down. Who would have given them any chance of getting back in this game? But these two guys, it's just unbelievable stuff." He added, "And they've already secured those two points for Punjab. Earlier, when both of these guys batted together. Shashank, obviously that time was a hero."

Despite Shashank-Ashutosh's heroics, Punjab lost yet another close encounter in IPL 2024. They are languishing at the ninth spot with only two wins from seven games. On the other hand, MI are in the seventh position with three wins from an equal number of games.