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| AGE:- June 17, 2002 (24) | Role:- Bowler | Batting Style:- Right Handed | Bowling Style:- Right arm Fast |
Imagine a teenager from a small farming village near Jaipur, standing at the top of his run-up, dreaming of playing in the Indian Premier League. No big city background. No famous cricket family. Just raw pace, a sacrificing elder brother, and an unbreakable will.
That is the story of Ashok Sharma – a name that was barely known outside Rajasthan a year ago but is now trending across cricket circles in India and beyond. If you have been following IPL 2026, you already know the number: 154.2 kmph. Let’s dig deep into the Ashok Sharma biography and understand how this young speedster got here.
Who Is Ashok Sharma? A Brief Overview
Ashok Sharma is a 23-year-old Indian right-arm medium-fast bowler from Rajasthan who currently represents Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026. Known for his searing pace, natural outswing, and hard-length bowling, Ashok is rapidly establishing himself as one of the most exciting young pacers in Indian domestic cricket.
His cricketing journey – from being a net bowler for Rajasthan Royals to becoming the highest wicket-taker in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025–26 – is nothing short of inspirational.
Ashok Sharma Biography – Personal Information
Here are full personal biography of Ashok Sharma in a table format:-
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ashok Sharma |
| Nickname | The Gun Pacer |
| Date of Birth | June 17, 2002 |
| Age (2026) | 24 years |
| Birthplace | Rampura, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Profession | Professional Cricketer |
| Role | Bowler |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm Fast |
| Teams | Rajasthan , Gujrat Titans – IPL 2026 |
| Marital Status | Unmarried (2026) |
| Net Worth (2026) | Estimated $200k – 300k (approx. ₹2 crores) |
Ashok Sharma Early Life and Background
Birth and Hometown
Ashok Sharma was born on June 17, 2002, in Rampura village, a small settlement near Jaipur, Rajasthan. He grew up in a close-knit farming family where money was tight and dreams had to be earned, not bought.
Family and Upbringing
Ashok comes from a humble agricultural background. His father, Nathulal Sharma, is a farmer who worked hard to keep the family afloat. The family could only support one son pursuing cricket – a tough reality many small-town Indian families know too well.
His elder brother, Akshay Sharma, was a budding bowler himself. Akshay made the ultimate sacrifice – he gave up his own cricketing dreams and convinced their parents to let Ashok pursue the game full-time.
“He sacrificed his career. We come from a farming background, and only one of us could play,” Ashok has said in interviews.
It was Akshay who first taught Ashok the basics of fast bowling and took him to the local cricket academy. The bond between the two brothers is at the heart of everything Ashok has achieved.
Education and Early Cricket
At the age of 17, Ashok joined the Jaipur Cricket Academy in 2017. On his very first morning session, coach Vivek Yadav – a former Ranji Trophy cricketer who had been part of Rajasthan’s back-to-back title-winning teams in 2010–11 and 2011–12 – noticed his pace immediately and placed him directly into the senior academy team.
The bond Ashok shared with Vivek Yadav was deep and personal. Tragically, Vivek passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic due to health complications, leaving Ashok devastated.
“That was the last time I shed tears. I thought my career was over. He wanted me to play for India,” Ashok has recalled emotionally.
Ashok Sharma Cricket Career Journey
Starting Out: Net Bowler to Contender
After losing his mentor Vivek Yadav, Ashok Sharma nearly lost his way. He was spending more time in the fields and drifting away from the game. What pulled him back was the one thing nobody could take away – his raw pace.
Coach Anshu Jain, who was then handling the Jaipur district team, spotted Ashok Sharma and backed him despite resistance from selectors who felt he leaked too many runs.
“How many 140-plus bowlers do you see? There aren’t many,” Jain reportedly told selectors.
Rajasthan Royals – Net Bowler Phase
Ashok’s pace eventually landed him a spot as a net bowler for Rajasthan Royals in 2021. It was a golden learning phase – working alongside senior domestic and international cricketers, observing their routines, and developing his skills in a professional environment. During this period, he also reportedly had brief interactions with Pat Cummins and absorbed guidance from Bharat Arun, which shaped his understanding of pace bowling at the highest level.
IPL 2022 – KKR Deal at ₹55 Lakh
During the IPL 2022 auction, a bidding war broke out between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals. KKR won the battle, signing Ashok Sharma for ₹55 lakh. However, Ashok did not get a single match that season – he sat on the bench, watching, learning, and waiting.
It was frustrating, but it wasn’t wasted time.
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Rajasthan Premier League 2023 – The Breakthrough
Ashok’s real coming-out party happened in the 2023 Rajasthan Premier League, where he claimed 8 wickets at an average of 22.25 with an economy of 7.12. His wicket-taking ability and composure under pressure made the entire Rajasthan cricket ecosystem take note.
IPL 2025 – Back to Rajasthan Royals
At the 2025 IPL mega auction, Rajasthan Royals brought Ashok Sharma back for ₹30 lakh. Once again, he found himself without a game. It would have broken most young cricketers. But Ashok kept working.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 – 26 – The Season That Changed Everything
This is where the Ashok Sharma career story took a dramatic turn. In the 2025–26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Ashok made his professional T20 debut against Tamil Nadu and picked up three wickets in his very first game.
He never looked back after that.
By the end of the tournament, Ashok had claimed 22 wickets in 10 matches at an average of just 15.63, with an economy of 9.25. He registered two four-wicket hauls, with his best figures being 4/16 against Uttarakhand.
He was named in Wisden’s Team of the Tournament and finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the entire competition.
IPL 2026 – Gujarat Titans and the 154.2 Kmph Moment
The fireworks at the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi were impossible to miss. Gujarat Titans secured Ashok Sharma for ₹90 lakh after an intense three-way bidding war involving Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders. On his IPL debut against Punjab Kings, Ashok clocked 149.7 kmph with his very first delivery.
Then came the defining moment. In a match against Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ashok bowled the fastest delivery of IPL 2026 – a fiery yorker clocked at 154.2 kmph to Dhruv Jurel. It broke Anrich Nortje’s earlier record of 150.9 kmph in the same tournament.
As of April 2026, Ashok has played 2 IPL matches, taking 2 wickets in the process.
Ashok Sharma Playing Style and Strengths
Bowling Style
Ashok Sharma is a right-arm medium-fast bowler who bowls hard lengths at consistently high pace. He regularly clocks deliveries between 145–150+ kmph, making him one of the fastest Indian pacers in active domestic cricket.
His bowling action has drawn comparisons to Dale Steyn – a resemblance that stems from his pronounced outswing, high wrist position, and aggressive follow-through.
Key Skills and Strengths
Ashok Sharma Achievements and Highlights
- Joint-highest wicket-taker in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025–26: 22 wickets in 10 matches, avg 15.63
- Best bowling figures: 4/16 vs Uttarakhand (SMAT 2025–26)
- Named in Wisden’s Team of the Tournament for SMAT 2025–26
- Fastest delivery of IPL 2026: 154.2 kmph vs Rajasthan Royals
- Picked for India A squad for 2026 T20 World Cup warm-up fixtures vs USA and Namibia
- Figures of 2/8 in India A warm-up vs Namibia
- IPL contracts with KKR (₹55L), RR (₹30L), and Gujarat Titans (₹90L)
Challenges and Comeback
Ashok Sharma’s story is as much about resilience as it is about pace.
He endured the heartbreak of losing his mentor Vivek Yadav during the pandemic. He signed for KKR in 2022 only to spend the entire season on the bench. He returned to Rajasthan Royals in 2025 and faced the same fate.
At several points, cricket felt like it was slipping away. He was spending time in the fields. Selectors doubted his consistency. But the combination of coaches who believed in him – Vivek Yadav, Anshu Jain – and the quiet sacrifice of his brother Akshay kept him going.
The 2025 – 26 SMAT was his answer to every doubt.
Ashok Sharma Net Worth and IPL Earnings
Ashok Sharma’s IPL earnings to date stand at a combined total of approximately ₹1.75 crore across his three IPL contracts (KKR ₹55L + RR ₹30L + GT ₹90L). Being an uncapped domestic cricketer, his overall net worth is not publicly documented, but his growing IPL profile and India A selection suggest his market value is rising steadily with each performance.
Ashok Sharma Personal Life
Ashok Sharma keeps his personal life relatively private. He is known to be very close to his family, particularly his elder brother Akshay Sharma, who sacrificed his own cricketing career to support Ashok.
The Sharma family lives in Rampura village near Jaipur, Rajasthan, and Ashok has spoken warmly about his farming roots in multiple interviews. He has described growing up watching cricketing heroes on TV and putting their posters on his wall – men he would one day share a dressing room with.
Latest Updates: Ashok Sharma in 2025 – 2026
- SMAT 2025–26: 22 wickets in 10 matches — joint top wicket-taker of the tournament
- IPL 2026: Playing for Gujarat Titans, bought for ₹90 lakh. Debuted vs PBKS, clocked 154.2 kmph vs RR
- India A: Selected for warm-up games ahead of T20 World Cup 2026; took 2/8 vs Namibia
- Sharing a dressing room with Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kagiso Rabada, Rashid Khan, and Shubman Gill — a perfect learning environment for a young pacer
- Commentators including Ian Bishop have publicly noted his extraordinary journey and potential
Interesting Facts About Ashok Sharma
- He was inspired to bowl fast by watching his elder brother Akshay play school cricket
- His mentor Vivek Yadav identified his potential on the very first day he bowled at the academy
- He participated in the Red Bull Speedster talent hunt, which drew IPL scouts’ attention to his pace
- His bowling action has been compared to Dale Steyn, whom he closely studied
- The 154.2 kmph delivery he bowled in IPL 2026 was the fastest ball of the tournament so far
- He has met and exchanged greetings with several of his childhood cricket heroes, calling the experience “enough”
- Despite a net bowling background, he has never played a Ranji Trophy season at the time of his IPL debut
- His SMAT 2025–26 performance was his maiden professional T20 season
FAQs – Ashok Sharma
Q1. Who is Ashok Sharma the cricketer?
Ashok Sharma is a 23-year-old right-arm medium-fast bowler from Rampura village near Jaipur, Rajasthan. He plays for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026 and represents Rajasthan in domestic cricket. He is known for his raw pace, regularly bowling at 145–154 kmph.
Q2. What is Ashok Sharma’s age and date of birth?
Ashok Sharma was born on June 17, 2002, making him 23 years old as of 2025–26.
Q3. What are Ashok Sharma’s career stats in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy?
In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025–26, Ashok Sharma claimed 22 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 15.63. His best bowling figures were 4/16 against Uttarakhand. He was the joint-highest wicket-taker of the tournament.
Q4. Which IPL teams has Ashok Sharma played for?
Ashok Sharma has been contracted by three IPL franchises: Kolkata Knight Riders (2022, ₹55L), Rajasthan Royals (2025, ₹30L), and Gujarat Titans (2026, ₹90L). He made his IPL debut in 2026 with Gujarat Titans.
Q5. What is the fastest ball bowled by Ashok Sharma?
Ashok Sharma’s fastest delivery on record is 154.2 kmph, bowled against Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium during IPL 2026. It was the fastest delivery of the IPL 2026 season at the time.
Q6. Has Ashok Sharma played for India?
As of April 2026, Ashok Sharma has not yet made his senior India debut. However, he was selected for the India A squad for T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches against USA and Namibia, where he returned promising figures of 2/8 against Namibia.
Q7. What is Ashok Sharma’s bowling style?
Ashok Sharma is a right-arm medium-fast bowler who bowls with natural outswing, hard lengths, and high pace. He has been compared to Dale Steyn for his action and aggressive approach to fast bowling.
Sources & References
Last Updated: April 15, 2026
Disclaimer: Net worth figures are estimates based on publicly available contract and bonus data.
