Ashok Sharma has earned his maiden India call-up for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, starting on July 23, after a rapid rise built on pace, hard lengths and recent IPL exposure with Gujarat Titans.
The 23-year-old fast bowler told Times of India that he had earlier hoped for selection when the Board of Control for Cricket in India asked for his passport for the Ireland series, but he was not picked for that tour. Sharma said he stayed patient because more cricket was coming.
Sharma’s Zimbabwe call-up follows a nine-month surge across domestic cricket, IPL and India A
Ashok Sharma has moved from domestic fast-bowling prospect to senior India squad member in a short span. The source report said Sharma took 22 wickets for Rajasthan in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and broke an 11-year-old tournament record, impressed with pace for Gujarat Titans, joined India A as an injury replacement, and then entered the senior India T20I squad.
Sharma has already clocked 154.2 kph, according to the report, and said he does not want to lose the pace that brought him attention. Sharma said, “I never want to compromise on my pace. My focus is always on improving my bowling. If everything goes well, maybe I can touch 160 kph one day, but I don’t think too much about that. I just want to keep getting better and become more skilful.”
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India A tour gave Sharma his first overseas experience in national colours
Ashok Sharma travelled to Sri Lanka with the Tilak Varma-led India A side after joining as an injury replacement for Yudhvir Singh. Sharma said the trip was special because he represented India for the first time.
The India A stint also gave Sharma time with former India pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji, who was the bowling coach on that tour. Sharma said Balaji did not try to change too much and instead suggested improvements around his non-bowling arm while asking him to keep working hard.
Senior bowling influences have reinforced Sharma’s hard-length method
Ashok Sharma said several coaches and senior cricketers have shaped his approach without asking him to move away from his main strength. At Kolkata Knight Riders, Bharat Arun worked on his action and fitness as a fast bowler. At Rajasthan Royals, Shane Bond advised him not to compromise on pace. At Gujarat Titans, Ashish Nehra stressed the value of hitting a hard length in every format.
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Sharma said a conversation with Pat Cummins during his time at Kolkata Knight Riders in 2022 stayed with him. Sharma said Cummins asked about his biggest strength, and Sharma identified his ability to hit the hard length. According to Sharma, Cummins told him to make that strength better instead of trying to become someone else.
Gujarat Titans backing helped Sharma combine pace with variation
Ashok Sharma credited Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill for support during his IPL run. Sharma said Gill gave him freedom to express himself, backed his strengths and guided him when he was unsure during matches.
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Sharma has also drawn attention for bowling around 150 kph while using a 110 kph slower ball with a similar action. Sharma said he developed the back-of-the-hand slower ball after advice from his late coach Vivek Yadav while playing local cash-prize tournaments in Jaipur.
Sharma said the slower ball became a stronger option after he took six wickets in a cash-prize tournament semifinal, including four wickets with that delivery. Sharma said that performance gave him confidence that the variation could become one of his main weapons.
Red-ball cricket remains part of Sharma’s long-term India target
Ashok Sharma said his journey has just begun and that he wants to represent India in all formats. Sharma said he would love to play red-ball cricket for India because he believes he can bowl long, hostile spells.
The source report said Sharma was set to play a four-day Emerging tournament match at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, where he hoped to show his red-ball value to selectors. Sharma also described competition among India’s fast bowlers as healthy, saying it pushes players to improve in speed, wickets and overall growth.
For now, Sharma’s immediate step is the Zimbabwe T20I series, where a debut would mark the next stage in a career that the pacer says is still at an early point.
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