Who Is Ashok Sharma? Gujarat Titans Pacer Earns India A Call-Up After IPL 2026 Breakthrough

Fast bowler Ashok Sharma's rapid rise in Indian cricket has continued after the 23-year-old was called up to the India A squad for the ongoing Tri-Nation A Series in Sri Lanka as a replacement for injured pacer Yudhvir Singh.

The uncapped speedster is set to join the squad in Dambulla, where India A are currently competing against Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A. His inclusion comes on the back of a breakthrough season that has seen him emerge as one of the most exciting fast-bowling prospects in the country.

Ashok first grabbed attention with his ability to consistently bowl at speeds touching 150 kmph and further enhanced his reputation during IPL 2026. Representing Gujarat Titans, the right-arm pacer picked up six wickets in six appearances while regularly troubling batters with his pace and aggressive approach.

The call-up also caps a whirlwind few days for the Rajasthan-born bowler, who recently completed a domestic switch to Gujarat after receiving a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Rajasthan Cricket Association.

"For better opportunities, I decided to move to Gujarat," Ashok said after confirming the move.

A long-awaited breakthrough for Ashok Sharma

Ashok's journey to the India A setup has been far from straightforward. He was first picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹55 lakh ahead of IPL 2022 after impressing as a net bowler with Rajasthan Royals. Despite spending time around some of the world's best players, he did not make a single appearance for KKR.

Rajasthan Royals then acquired him at his base price of ₹30 lakh, but another season passed without a debut opportunity.

His breakthrough finally arrived when Gujarat Titans signed him for ₹90 lakh ahead of IPL 2026. The franchise showed faith in his raw pace, and Ashok repaid that trust by delivering several eye-catching performances during his maiden IPL season.

Domestic numbers back Ashok Sharma hype

Long before his IPL debut, Ashok had already built a strong reputation on the domestic circuit.

He enjoyed a standout Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign, finishing as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 22 wickets in 10 matches, breaking an 11-year-old record in the process. His performances established him as one of the most promising young fast bowlers in Indian cricket.

In List A cricket, Ashok has picked up 13 wickets in seven matches, including a five-wicket haul, while maintaining an economy rate of 6.69.

The Pat Cummins influence

A key figure in Ashok's development has been Australian captain Pat Cummins, whom he spent time with during his stint at Kolkata Knight Riders.

Recalling a conversation that continues to shape his approach, Ashok revealed how Cummins encouraged him to focus on his biggest strength rather than trying to become a different type of bowler.

"He asked me a simple question: 'What is your strength?' Every bowler has one. Some swing it, some seam it. I told him I could hit a hard length at good pace. He told me to stick to that," Ashok said.

"Whenever I practise, I remember his words. They still echo in my ears."

With India A continuing to search for the next generation of fast bowlers, Ashok now has a major opportunity to make his mark at the international level. A strong showing in Sri Lanka could push the Gujarat Titans pacer closer to national selection and further cement his status as one of India's most exciting pace prospects.