Ashok Sharma's rise from barefoot bowler to IPL speedster in 2026

Gujarat Titans fast bowler Ashok Sharma made his IPL debut in 2026 with scorching pace, including the season's fastest delivery at 154.2 kph.

Tattoo of determination Gujarat Titans pacer Ashok Sharma carries a reminder on his left arm: the word 'impossible' with 'im' crossed out. The tattoo, inked about a year and a half ago, symbolizes his belief that no goal is out of reach with relentless effort. He recalls how negative thoughts creep in during tough training sessions, like during a 2km time trial when exhaustion sets in. But the tattoo pushes him to remember that every challenge can be overcome with action today to benefit tomorrow. ## Journey from village cricket to IPL The 6'1" 23-year-old from Rampurara village in Rajasthan progressed from bowling barefoot and in flip-flops on local lanes to domestic cricket for his state. Over the past few years, multiple IPL franchises recognized his raw talent, though he spent two seasons on the bench with Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals without playing a game. His IPL debut with Gujarat Titans in 2026 instantly turned heads with his explosive pace and immediate impact. ## Initial IPL struggles and breakthrough Ashok Sharma's first IPL season began with highs and lows—he made headlines for his blistering speed, including the fastest delivery recorded so far in 2026 at 154.2 kph. However, he faced his toughest challenge in a home match against Mumbai Indians, conceding 38 runs in his spell. The very next day, he reflected on his journey, the lessons learned, and the relentless pursuit of his dreams through disciplined performance. ## Speed dreams and early milestones Ashok admits he used to watch Brett Lee and Dale Steyn bowl at 150 kph as a child and dream of achieving the same pace one day. In the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he crossed that milestone without even realizing it. While fielding at the boundary during a Hyderabad match, a teammate told him he had bowled a 150 kph delivery. Skeptical at first, he later confirmed the speed after reviewing the clip in the dressing room. ## Fitness and discipline behind pace To sustain his explosive bowling, Ashok avoids sugar in all forms and follows a strict fitness regimen supervised by his personal trainer Vinay Meena in Jaipur. He maintains his weight between 80 and 82 kg over the past year and a half, focusing on proteins and vitamins. About a year and a half ago, his trainer jokingly bet he would one day bowl 150 kph—Ashok accepted, not realizing how soon the prediction would come true. ## Bowling variations and learning curve Ashok's ability to vary speeds is notable—he can deliver at over 145 kph or drop down to around 105 kph with a back-of-the-hand slower ball. He first experimented with this variation at 16 or 17 during tennis-ball cricket, inspired by a friend's unconventional delivery. Initially struggling with control, he refined the skill over a year and a half with guidance from his academy coach and later from Rasikh Salam during his KKR stint. ## Mentorship from IPL veterans At Gujarat Titans, Ashok benefits from mentorship by senior fast bowlers including Ashish Nehra, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna. Nehra emphasizes control over length, especially Test-match lengths, before mastering yorkers and slower deliveries. Ishant Sharma advised him to back himself despite early setbacks, while Siraj shared his own struggles with being hit for big scores early in his career and bouncing back mentally. ## Team support and match insights During the match against Mumbai Indians, Ashish Nehra advised Ashok to take deep breaths and focus on execution after he was hit for 26 runs by Tilak Varma in the 18th over. In the game against Delhi Capitals, Pathum Nissanka hit him for 18 runs in the sixth over, including a six off a back-of-a-length ball. Ashok acknowledged two poor deliveries led to the boundaries and stressed that faster learning will reduce such mistakes in the future. ## Memorable moments and rivalries In 2021 during COVID-19, Ashok—then a net bowler for Rajasthan Royals—bowled Jos Buttler during open net sessions at CCI Mumbai as part of a Red Bull speed trial program. He also dismissed Sanju Samson in the same over. He recalls the experience fondly as an early highlight in his IPL journey. Recent matches against top batters like Nicholas Pooran, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, and Tilak Varma have provided valuable one-on-one insights. ## Idol and future ambitions Ashok cites Dale Steyn as his first and enduring role model, admiring his aggression and match-winning ability. He studied Steyn's bowling videos closely during his early days at Aravalli Cricket Academy in Jaipur. Steyn once analyzed Ashok's bowling action and suggested keeping the left lead hand tucked in to potentially gain one or two kph in pace—advice Ashok plans to work on during the off-season. His ultimate goal remains to wear the India jersey, having already represented India A during the 2026 T20 World Cup warm-ups.