Kamal Ghorui
Ashok Sharma has emerged as one of the most exciting fast-bowling discoveries of IPL 2026, with the young Gujarat Titans pacer turning heads through his raw pace and fearless attitude. Clocking deliveries consistently above 150 kph, the 23-year-old has rapidly become one of the tournament’s breakout stars.Sharma recently created headlines after delivering a thunderbolt at 154.2 kph against Rajasthan Royals batter Dhruv Jurel, the fastest delivery recorded in IPL 2026 and one of the quickest balls ever bowled in IPL history.Reflecting on the moment during an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Sharma admitted it was the fulfilment of a childhood dream inspired by legendary pacers like Brett Lee and Dale Steyn.“As a child, watching someone bowl 150 kph, I would dream that someday I would do the same. I used to watch Brett Lee and Dale Steyn and wonder how much effort they put in, how fast they bowled and how it felt. Now I feel it myself,” Sharma said.
The young quick described bowling at 150-plus as a major milestone for any fast bowler.“Bahut badi baat hai 150 dalna (Bowling at 150 kph is a big deal). Whoever starts bowling fast dreams of bowling 150 one day. I had the same dream, which I have now achieved. But at the moment, my dream is to help the team win,” he added.Sharma also credited Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra for playing a huge role in improving his bowling discipline and match awareness. According to Sharma, Nehra’s biggest lesson has been mastering Test-match lengths before focusing on variations.”He always stands behind the bowler during training. He talks about reading a batsman. As a fast bowler, the first thing he has told us is that we should be able to bowl Test-match lengths. He has always stressed that it is important how much control we have on pitching on that length consistently, six balls in a row. Only after that, he says, can we work on the yorkers, slower ones etc. and master them,” Sharma explained.Ashok Sharma was signed by Gujarat Titans for Rs 90 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction, the Rajasthan-born pacer had previously spent time with Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals without getting a game. However, his outstanding performance in the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he finished as joint-highest wicket-taker with 22 wickets, finally earned him a proper IPL opportunity.So far this season, Sharma has taken six wickets in his first six matches, with best figures of 2/32 against Lucknow Super Giants. He also boasts the highest average speed in IPL 2026 among bowlers who have bowled at least 60 deliveries, averaging an impressive 145.6 kph.
