Ashok Sharma’s Remarkable Rise: A Brother’s Sacrifice, Years of Struggle and a 154 Kph Dream
Long before Ashok Sharma became one of India’s most exciting young fast bowlers, his family had to make a painful choice.
There wasn’t enough money to support the cricketing ambitions of both Ashok and his elder brother Akshay. Both wanted to become fast bowlers, but only one could continue.
Akshay eventually stepped aside.
He believed his younger brother had a better chance of making it, and years later, that sacrifice has helped Ashok reach international cricket.
Two Brothers, But Only One Could Continue
Ashok grew up in Rampura on the outskirts of Jaipur, watching Akshay play inter-school cricket.
By the age of 12, Ashok had joined his brother in the school team. Both were fast bowlers and both dreamed of progressing through Rajasthan cricket.
Their family’s financial situation, however, made supporting two cricket careers almost impossible.
Their father worked as a driver for a local publication and also delivered newspapers at night to support the family.
When the brothers were asked to decide who should continue seriously with cricket, Akshay chose Ashok.
He believed the five-year age difference gave his younger brother a better opportunity.
A 45-Kilometre Journey to Chase the Dream
Ashok’s next major opportunity came during Under-16 trials, where former Rajasthan cricketer Vivek Yadav spotted his natural pace.
Yadav encouraged him to join the Aravalli Cricket Academy.
Getting there wasn’t easy.
Akshay would take his younger brother around 45 kilometres on a motorcycle so he could train. Eventually, after understanding the family’s financial difficulties, Ashok was allowed to stay at the academy without having to bear the normal expenses.
That decision became a turning point.
Raw Pace Needed Plenty of Work
Ashok could bowl fast, but his technique was far from finished.
His early action carried many characteristics of tennis-ball cricket. He generated speed from a relatively short run-up but struggled with accuracy and controlling movement with the leather ball.
His coaches began rebuilding his fundamentals.
The focus wasn’t simply on making him faster. They worked on his run-up, landing position, body alignment and ability to consistently attack batters with hard lengths.
The improvements eventually earned Ashok selection for Rajasthan Under-19s.
But his first experience at that level didn’t go according to plan.
Early Failure Almost Ended His Dream
After struggling on debut, Ashok was dropped after only a handful of matches.
Players of his age began progressing while his own career stalled. Opportunities at Under-23 level didn’t arrive either.
At one stage, after waiting for years for another meaningful opportunity, Ashok considered quitting cricket completely.
His family and coaches convinced him to continue.
That patience eventually paid off.
Building a Body Capable of Extreme Pace
One of the biggest transformations came through Ashok’s physical conditioning.
He had initially been a tall but very lean fast bowler. His coaches believed that if he wanted to consistently generate serious pace, his body needed to become stronger.
Training focused heavily on developing his shoulders, chest, arms, glutes and overall muscle mass while improving the biomechanics of his bowling action.
By 2022, the difference was significant.
Ashok had transformed from a skinny teenage quick into a much stronger athlete capable of producing high pace repeatedly.
His discipline extended to his diet as well. A vegetarian, Ashok became particularly careful about nutrition and avoided added sugar while maintaining a demanding training routine.
IPL Opportunity Finally Arrives
The Red Bull Speedster competition provided another important opening.
His pace earned him trials with Rajasthan Royals and eventually an opportunity as an IPL net bowler.
A contract with Kolkata Knight Riders followed, but Ashok spent the season on the sidelines before being released.
Once again, progress appeared painfully slow.
His breakthrough finally arrived when Rajasthan handed him a senior domestic debut.
Ashok responded by finishing his maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign as the competition’s leading wicket-taker.
After years of waiting, Indian cricket was beginning to notice him.
154 Kph Delivery Changes Everything
Ashok’s reputation exploded during IPL 2026 with Gujarat Titans.
A delivery clocked at more than 154 kph immediately placed him among India’s fastest bowlers.
He wasn’t originally expected to be a first-choice option in a pace department containing established international names. However, the Gujarat Titans coaching staff were impressed enough by his ability to give him opportunities.
Ashok featured in six matches and also showed signs that he could become more than simply an express quick.
Developing More Than Just Raw Speed
Ashok had already realised that extreme pace alone wouldn’t guarantee a long international career.
Ahead of IPL 2026, he spent significant time developing his yorker and slower deliveries.
His back-of-the-hand slower ball became particularly useful, while work continued on cutters and other variations.
During the IPL, he showed encouraging signs at the death, picking up wickets while maintaining a healthy percentage of dot balls.
The performances were enough to push him further up India’s fast-bowling ladder.
From India A to the Senior Team
After representing India A in Dambulla, Ashok received the call every young cricketer dreams about.
He was selected for India’s T20I series in Zimbabwe and became the latest fast bowler to represent the country.
For a family that once struggled simply to finance district-level cricket, seeing Ashok wearing an India jersey represented something almost unimaginable.
His elder brother’s sacrifice had finally come full circle.
The 160 Kph Target
Ashok’s ambitions aren’t finished with an India debut.
His coaches believe he possesses the physical ability and bowling mechanics required to become even quicker. There is already a target that has followed him throughout his development:
160 kph.
For Ashok, reaching that number would be another milestone. For Akshay, however, the bigger dream is seeing his younger brother eventually receive an India Test cap.
From motorcycle rides to training sessions 45 kilometres away, financial hardship, repeated selection setbacks and years spent waiting for an opportunity, Ashok Sharma’s rise has been anything but straightforward.
Now that the opportunity has arrived, India’s latest pace prospect has a chance to show just how far his speed can take him.
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