NEW DELHI: Ashok Sharma was over the moon when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked for his passport and got the visa for Ireland. He expected a call-up for the Ireland tour but was overlooked.“Kaafi umeed badh gayi thi, ye sab pehli baar ho raha tha (My hopes were really high because all this was happening for the first time), Ashok tells TimesofIndia.com from Bengaluru, where he is 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 team, I knew I would get my chance because there was so much cricket coming up. I remained patient,” says Sharma, who has now earned his first India call-up for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, starting July 23.Over the past 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 heads with his blistering pace for the Gujarat Titans, earned an India A call-up as an injury replacement, and has now broken into the senior Indian team.
I never want to compromise on my step. My focus is always on improving my bowling. If all goes well, maybe I can touch 160 kph one day.
Ashok Sharma
The main reason for his rapid growth has been his pace, and the 23-year-old does not want to compromise on the weapon that has earned him recognition. Having already hit 154.2 km/h, I believe it can reach 160 km/h one day.“I never want to compromise on my pace. My focus is always on improving my bowling. If all goes well, maybe I can touch 160 kph one day, but I don’t think too much about it. I just want to keep getting better and becoming more skilled,” says Sharma.The 23-year-old pacer laughed as he recalled his overseas trip, 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 A has gone viral.“Mast tha Pehli baar desh ko represents kar raha tha, kaafi maza aaya, kaafi special tha. (It was great. I was representing India for the first time. It was very special and I really enjoyed it),” he says.Ashok joined the team as an injury replacement for Yudhvir Singh, and the tour proved fruitful when he worked with the former Indian pacer. Lakshmipathy Balajiwho was the bowling coach of the India A team.“It was a great experience working with Lakshmipathy Balaji sir. He didn’t try to change too many things. He suggested a few improvements, especially regarding my non-bowling arm, and advised me to keep working hard. He said the rewards will come,” says Sharma.
Gujarat Titans’ Ashok Sharma 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. (ANI photo)
Over the years, Ashok has worked with many big names. At Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), former India bowling coach Bharat Arun perfected his bowling action and taught him what it takes to stay fit as a fast bowler. In Rajasthan Royals (RR), Shane Bond He advised her not to compromise her pace. At Gujarat Titans (GT), Ashish Nehra took him under his wing and stressed the importance of hitting hard in any format.“They all have a similar message. Don’t try to teach too many different things. Every bowler has different strengths. Someone relies on swing, someone on rhythm, and everyone has to work on their strengths,” he says.
Pat Cummins told me to focus on making myself better instead of trying to become someone else. If I spend too much time chasing swing, I may not be able to bowl as fast.
Ashok Sharma
Among all, the only conversation that was with him was with 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 hard. Cummins told me to focus on doing even better instead of trying to become someone else. If I spend too much time chasing swing, I may not be able to bowl as fast. The idea has always been to enhance what I already do well. Maine likh rakha hai unke advices ko (I wrote his advice),” says Ashok.Ashok also impressed his Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill with his ability to bowl at 150 kph and deliver a slower ball of 110 kph with the same action. He explains how he developed deceptive delivery while playing cash prize tournaments in Jaipur.
Ashok Sharma of Gujarat Titans and his teammate celebrate the wicket of Rovman Powell of Kolkata Knight Riders during their Indian Premier League 2026 match at Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad on Friday. (ANI photo)
“I started my cricket in an academy and also played in local tournaments for cash prizes. At that time, I had to bowl around 130-135 km / h, but I did not know how to slow down. I only had an off-cutter, which the batsmen could pick easily. My coach, the late. Vivek Yadavhe suggested I learn the slower hand dance. It wasn’t easy at first and it took a lot of practice. Later, in a cash prize tournament semi-final, I took six wickets, including four with that delivery. That gave me confidence that it could become one of my main weapons,” he says.Although Ashok had been part of other IPL franchises earlier, Gujarat Titans gave him an extended run, and he credits captain Gill for the support.“Shubman bhai has been very supportive right from the start,” he says.
Shubman bhai has been very supportive from the beginning. He always gave me freedom of expression and never put me under pressure. He always steered me in the right direction.
Ashok Sharma
“He always gave me the freedom to express myself and never put me under pressure. He told me to play to my strengths and not try to do too much. Whenever I was in two minds during a match, I asked him for advice because he has a lot of experience, and he always guided me in the right direction,” he adds.Ashok admits his journey has only just begun, but he has already set a long-term goal for himself: to play Test cricket because he believes he has the ability to bowl long, hostile spells. In the four-day Emerging tournament, which begins on Wednesday at the Center of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, he hopes to impress the selectors with 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. (ANI photo)
“The journey has just begun. Like every cricketer, it is my dream to represent India in all formats. I would definitely like to play red ball cricket for my country. From Wednesday, we have a four-day red ball match at the CoE. This Emerging tournament will be a great opportunity for me to show my worth with the red ball,” he says.Ashok is among India’s exciting new crop of fast bowlers, who the selectors believe have immense potential. Harshit Rana has already established himself in white ball cricket. Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar impressed in the opportunities they received, while Mayank Yadav returned to the Indian team after a long injury layoff.
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“Healthy competition is always important. If there is no competition, it doesn’t push you to improve. Competition motivates you to become better every day. Be it speed or wickets, it helps you grow as a cricketer,” he says.For now, Ashok’s biggest weapon is stopping his pace. But beyond the speed gun, the 23-year-old is determined to become a complete fast bowler. With a debut in India now just around the corner, he hopes the journey that began on dusty grounds in Rampura, about 35 km from Rajasthan’s capital Jaipur, will be just the pace.