Ashok Sharma’s name may not be familiar to most IPL fans yet, but that could change soon. Picked for the third time at an IPL auction, the right-arm pacer was bought by Gujarat Titans for ₹90 lakh, a price many consider a steal. Despite not making his IPL debut so far, Sharma is being tracked closely as one of the fastest Indian pacers in the circuit, capable of touching 150 kph.
Ashok Sharma hails from Rampur, a small village near Jaipur. Growing up, life was simple and practical, education or farming were the only acceptable paths. Cricket was seen as a luxury the family could barely afford. The turning point came when Ashok’s elder brother, Akshay, made a life-altering sacrifice. He gave up his own cricketing dreams and convinced the family to support Ashok’s pursuit instead.
That decision laid the foundation for a career built on speed, resilience, and persistence.
Ashok’s raw pace first caught attention when he worked as a net bowler for Rajasthan Royals. In 2022, Kolkata Knight Riders picked him up for ₹55 lakh, but opportunities never came his way. Two years later, Rajasthan Royals bought him again at base price during the 2024 mega auction, only to release him once more. The journey was anything but stable, a constant cycle of hope and heartbreak.
During his time with KKR, Ashok Sharma received a simple but powerful piece of advice from Pat Cummins: “Just bowl fast. Don’t overthink lengths.” That message stuck. Instead of trying to be perfect, Sharma focused on what he does best, bowl fast.
The results have been encouraging. In the Ranji Trophy, Sharma picked up 14 wickets in four matches, showing growth in red-ball cricket. However, it was the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy that truly showcased his impact. Across 10 matches, he claimed 22 wickets, finishing as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the tournament. His economy rate of 9.2 was on the higher side, but when a bowler consistently operates at 150 kph, wickets matter more than restraint.
Gujarat Titans already boast a formidable pace attack with Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, and Ishant Sharma. Ashok Sharma may not start the season in the playing XI, but pace has a way of demanding attention.
If an opportunity comes, don’t be surprised if Ashok Sharma makes headlines, because raw speed, once noticed, is impossible to ignore.
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