From the Dust of Rampura to the IPL: The Rise of Fast Bowler Ashok Sharma

Rampura, Jaipur: ‘Unki Thar nikal jaati hai, aapki bhi nikal jayegi (His car gets through, yours will too),’ a young boy quips when asked for directions to the residence of India’s rising pace bowler, Ashok Sharma.

Ashok has generated considerable attention with his raw pace in the Indian Premier League (IPL), but reaching his home village—located roughly 35 kilometers from Rajasthan’s capital, Jaipur—requires careful navigation. After taking a sudden exit off the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and maneuvering through hastily operated railway crossings, the paved road simply ends. The dusty, unpaved lanes offer a stark reminder of the infrastructure divide in modern India.

Player Profile: Ashok Sharma

Roots in Rural Rajasthan

‘Sharam aati hai logon ko bulaane mein. Raasta hi nahi hai (I feel embarrassed to invite people over. There isn’t even a proper road),’ says Akshay Sharma, Ashok’s elder brother. The GPS pin for their address drops a few hundred meters short of the actual house, forcing visitors to negotiate narrow lanes with sharp hairpin turns.

Despite the lack of modern infrastructure, the Sharma family remains deeply attached to their roots. Their village home features double-story construction where a standard air cooler is still considered a prized asset. ‘Sukoon hai idhar (It is peaceful here). Ashok also loves it. He always says he will never leave his ancestral village, no matter what,’ Akshay explains while dusting off a charpai under one of the two large neem trees in their front yard.

It is uncommon to find an active Indian cricketer—one who has competed in the domestic circuit managed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the lucrative IPL—residing in a remote village. Yet, Ashok intentionally avoids the lavish lifestyle often associated with professional sports.

Training and Diet Regimen

According to his family, Ashok maintains strict discipline during his time at home:

• 05:00 AM: Wakes up and heads straight to the local ground for running.
• 05:30 AM – 08:30 AM: Completes a rigorous three-hour training block.
• Post-Training: Focuses heavily on homemade food, prioritizing simple meals over luxury dining.
• Recovery: Emphasizes sleep and joint care, an approach adopted following a knee injury sustained during his stint with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

A Family Tradition of Pace

Ashok’s father, Nathulal Sharma, operates a farm and spends his days managing the wheat harvest. During a conversation in the family courtyard, Ashok’s mother, Lali Devi, serves traditional buttermilk (chaanch)—a favorite recovery drink for the Sharma brothers after long practice sessions.

Fast bowling runs in the family’s blood. The brothers grew up listening to stories of their uncle, Ram Dayal Sharma, a feared local fast bowler who sported long hair similar to early MS Dhoni and received special invitations to play in neighboring village tournaments.

Akshay, who originally sowed the seed of fast bowling in his younger brother, sacrificed his own cricketing ambitions. ‘We both were quick. I used to enjoy intimidating batters. It gave me a sense of satisfaction,’ recalls Akshay.

The Aravali Cricket Academy and Overcoming Tragedy

Ashok’s professional trajectory shifted dramatically in 2019 when Akshay took the 17-year-old to the Aravali Cricket Academy. There, his raw speed caught the eye of Vivek Yadav, a former domestic cricketer who won the Ranji Trophy with Rajasthan. Recognizing the young bowler’s potential, Yadav placed Ashok directly into the senior squad and provided him with accommodation at the academy.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced Ashok to return to Rampura, where the dirt road in front of his house became his makeshift practice pitch. Tragedy struck on May 5, 2021, when Vivek Yadav passed away due to COVID-19 complications. The loss devastated Ashok, who stopped speaking for weeks, fearing his cricket dream had died with his mentor.

Hope was restored when Vikas Yadav stepped in to fulfill his late brother’s vision, ensuring the academy continued supporting Ashok’s development.

Making the IPL Grade

Ashok’s dedication eventually translated into professional contracts. He secured a breakthrough INR 55 lakh acquisition by KKR and gained further experience with the Rajasthan Royals. Later, his family celebrated his call-up to the Gujarat Titans setup.

When Ashok made his first appearance for Gujarat in Chandigarh, the family drove 450 kilometers to watch him live. For the team’s subsequent match in Ahmedabad, they undertook a 10-hour train journey, as Nathulal admits he is still hesitant to travel by airplane.

Today, a Mahindra Thar—a gift Ashok demanded from his family after a successful stint with KKR—stands parked outside their village home. Its off-road capabilities make it the perfect vehicle for Rampura’s rugged terrain.

Looking Ahead

At the Aravali Cricket Academy, coaches Jagminder Singh and Vikas Yadav continue to refine Ashok’s skills. The 23-year-old fast bowler understands that his career is just beginning, driven by his late mentor’s belief that he possesses the talent to eventually represent India.

Back in Rampura, Ashok is already a superstar. But for his family, the ultimate victory will be twofold: seeing Ashok wear the Indian jersey, and hoping his success finally brings a paved road to their doorstep.