The cricket world is witnessing the rise of Ashok Sharma, who has taken the IPL 2026 by storm. The young fast bowler from Gujarat Titans made the headlines during the team's home game against Rajasthan Royals on Saturday, April 4, as he bowled a 154.2 kmph delivery.

Bowling consistently around 150 kmph in the IPL 2026, Ashok Sharma is emerging as the fastest bowler in the league at the moment. His recent spell against the Rajasthan Royals has been the talking point on social media, so let's find out more about the youngster from Jaipur.

Who is Ashok Sharma?

Ashok Sharma was born in Rampura, Jaipur, in June 2002. Former West Indies legend Ian Bishop revealed his research on the player during commentary on the Gujarat Titans' opening game against the Punjab Kings this season.

Bishop revealed that Ashok's elder brother sacrificed his own cricketing career to support his family and help Ashok realize his potential. According to ESPNcricinfo, Ashok himself considered leaving professional cricket to pursue a government job in 2021.

However, he came across the Red Bull Speedster program, which completely changed his life. He cleared the program by bowling at 140 kmph. His performance gained the attention of Rajasthan Royals scouts before the IPL 2024 season. He joined the Royals setup as a net bowler in 2024 and bagged his first contract as a professional player before the 2025 auction.

Ashok didn't get the chance to bowl the entire season and was released from the squad before the IPL 2026 auction. Before entering the auction, he made his domestic debut across formats for Rajasthan and made an immediate impact.

The 23-year-old dominated the Syed Mustaq Ali Trophy 2025-26, topping the charts with the joint-most 22 wickets in just 10 innings. This was the break he needed in his life to gain the media attention and get another chance in the Indian Premier League.

Gujarat Titans picked him up for just INR 90 lakh, as other teams hesitated to bet on the young pacer.

Ashok Sharma in IPL 2026

Ashok Sharma was not in the picture for Gujarat's preferred playing eleven due to intense competition. Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Arshad Khan, and Ishant Sharma were expected to fill the Indian pacers' spot in the starting eleven. But Ashok managed to impress Ashish Nehra and Shubman Gill, earning his maiden IPL cap this season.

He made his debut during the GT's opening game against PBKS and cemented his place in the team with one wicket for 31 runs in three overs. His pace against PBKS gave the world a glimpse of his potential, but it was his latest spell against his former team, the Rajasthan Royals, that put him on the map.

Bowling his first over, the fifth of the game, Ashok produced a remarkable pace, clocking 149 and 150 kmph. He maintained that pace throughout the game and then produced the fastest ball of IPL 2026, reaching 154.2 kmph.

Apart from his fierce pace, Ashok also displayed his instincts with good line and length. He dismissed Shimron Hetmyer and finished his spell with 1 for 37 in four overs. He also emerged as the most economical bowler on the batting-friendly pitch at Narendra Modi Stadium, where the Royals posted 210 total while batting first.

With Indian fast bowlers Umran Malik and Mayank Yadav not finding a place in playing elevens for their team, Ashok Sharma is making the headlines with his pace in IPL 2026. He is only 23 and is looking destined for much bigger plans in the future.

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