NEW DELHI: Ashok Sharma was delighted when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked for his passport and he got a visa for Ireland. He was expecting to be called up for the Irish tour but missed out.“Kaafi umeed badh gayi thi, ye sab pehli baar ho raha tha (My hopes are very high because all this is happening for the first time),” Ashok told TimesofIndia.com from Bengaluru, where he was playing in the Emerging Men’s tournament.“When the management asked for my passport for the Ireland series, I was hopeful. But when I wasn’t selected in the squad, I knew I would get my chance because there was a lot of cricket to come. I remained patient,” said Sharma, who has now earned his maiden India call-up for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, starting on July 23.In the last nine months, Ashok Sharma has gone from a domestic pace sensation to India’s newest fast-bowling prospect. He broke an 11-year-old Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy record with 22 wickets for Rajasthan, turned his pace for Gujarat Titans, earned an India A call-up as an injury replacement, and has now broken into the senior Indian team.
I don’t want to compromise my pace. My focus is always on improving my bowling. If all goes well, I might reach 160 kph in a day.
Ashok Sharma
The main reason for his rapid rise is his pace, and the 23-year-old’s unwillingness to compromise the weapon that has earned him recognition. Having clocked 154.2 kph, he believes he can reach 160 kph one day.“I never want to compromise my pace. My focus is always on improving my bowling. If all goes well, I might touch 160 kph one day, but I don’t think about that. I just want to keep doing well and become more skilled,” Sharma said.The 23-year-old pacer laughed as he recalled his first trip abroad, when he flew to Sri Lanka with the Tilak Varma-led India A team. A reel of his stunning catch during India’s must-win match against Afghanistan has gone viral.“Mast tha. Pehli baar desh ko represent kar raha tha, kaafi maza aaya, kaafi special tha. (It was great. I was representing India for the first time. It is very special and I really enjoyed it),” he said.Ashok joined the team as Yudhvir Singh’s injury replacement, and the tour proved fruitful as he teamed up with the former India pacer. Lakshmipathy Balajiwho is the bowling coach of India A team.“It was a good experience working with Lakshmipathy Balaji sir. He didn’t try to change many things. He suggested some improvements, especially about my non-bowling arm, and advised me to keep working hard. He said the rewards will come,” said Sharma.
Ashok Sharma of Gujarat Titans during a warm-up session before the start of the Indian Premier League 2026 match against Mumbai Indians at the Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad on Sunday. (THIS picture)
Over the years, Ashok has worked with many big names. At Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), former India bowling coach Bharat Arun fine-tuned his bowling action and taught him what it takes to stay fit as a fast bowler. In Rajasthan Royals (RR), Shane Bond he was advised never to compromise his step. At Gujarat Titans (GT), Ashish Nehra took him under his wing and emphasized the importance of hitting difficult lengths in every format.“Everybody has the same message. They don’t try to teach too many different things. Every bowler has different strengths. Someone depends on the swing, someone is fast, and everyone needs to work on their strengths,” he said.
Pat Cummins told me to focus on doing that better than trying to be someone else. If I spend more time chasing the swing, I might not be able to bowl as easily.
Ashok Sharma
Among them all, the one conversation that stuck with him was: Pat Cummins during his time at KKR.“When I was with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2022, Pat Cummins asked me what my biggest strength was. I said my ability to hit difficult lengths. Cummins told me to focus on doing that better than trying to be something else. If I spend more time chasing the swing, I might not be able to bowl as easily. The idea is always to strengthen what I already do well. Maine likh rakha hai unke advices ko (I wrote his advice),” said Ashok.Ashok was also impressed with his Gujarat Titans captaincy Shubman Gill with his ability to bowl 150 kph and deliver a 110 kph slow ball in the same action. He explains how he developed the deceptive delivery while playing cash-prize tournaments in Jaipur.
Ashok Sharma and teammates of Gujarat Titans celebrate the wicket of Rovman Powell of Kolkata Knight Riders during their Indian Premier League 2026 match at the Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad on Friday. (THIS picture)
“I started my cricket in an academy and also played in local cash-prize tournaments. At that time, I used to bowl around 130-135 kph but I didn’t know how to bowl slow deliveries. I only had an off-cutter, which the batters could easily pick. My coach, the latter. Vivek Yadavsuggested that I learn the back-of-the-hand slow ball. It’s not easy at first and takes a lot of practice. Later, in a semi-final of the prize money tournament, I took six wickets, including four off that delivery. That gives me the confidence to make it one of my main weapons,” he said.Although Ashok has been part of other IPL franchises in the past, Gujarat Titans gave him a long run, and he credits captain Gill for supporting him.“Shubman bhai was very supportive from the beginning,” he says.
Shubman bhai was very supportive from the beginning. He always gave me the freedom to express myself and never forced me. He always guides me in the right direction.
Ashok Sharma
“He always gave me the freedom to express myself and never forced me. He told me to support my strength and not try to do too much. Whenever I have doubts about a game, I ask him for advice because he has a lot of experience, and he always guides me in the right direction,” he added.Ashok admits that his journey has just begun, but he has set a long-term goal for himself. to play Test cricket because he believes he has the ability to bowl long, bad spells. In the four-day Emerging tournament, which begins on Wednesday at the Center of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, he hopes to impress those who choose the red ball.
Ashok Sharma of Gujarat Titans during a warm-up session before the Indian Premier League 2026 Qualifier 1 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, in Dharamsala on Tuesday. (THIS picture)
“The journey has just begun. Like every cricketer, it is my dream to represent India in all formats. I really want to play red-ball cricket for my country. From Wednesday, we have four days of red-ball matches at the CoE. This Emerging tournament will be a great opportunity for me to show my worth on the red ball,” he said.Ashok is one of India’s exciting new crop of fast bowlers, who selectors believe has huge potential. Harshit Rana has already established himself in white-ball cricket. Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar have impressed with the opportunities they have received, while Mayank Yadav has returned to the Indian team after a long injury layoff.
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“Healthy competition is always important. Without competition, you don’t push yourself to improve. Competition motivates you to be better every day. Whether it’s speed or wickets, it helps you grow as a cricketer,” he said.For now, Ashok’s biggest weapon remains his pace. But beyond the speed gun, the 23-year-old is determined to become a complete fast bowler. With an India debut now within striking distance, he hopes that the journey that began on the dusty grounds of Rampura, some 35 km from Rajasthan’s capital Jaipur, is only progressing.