Ashok Sharma’s rise took another step forward when he received his maiden India call-up for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe, a reward that arrives after a rapid climb through the IPL and domestic circuit.
The fast bowler’s story has a few clear touchpoints. Gujarat Titans bought him for Rs 90 lakh in the 2025 IPL auction, and he marked his IPL debut against Punjab by touching 154.2 kmph. In IPL 2026, he went on to play six matches and take six wickets, giving India another pace option to look at as it builds toward the Zimbabwe series.
What Ashok Sharma learned from Mohammed Siraj
Sharma said one of the biggest influences on his development was Mohammed Siraj. During his time with Gujarat Titans, he spoke with Siraj in the dressing room and in the nets about how to handle pressure, what to think before delivering the ball and how to set up batters. He said he kept asking questions throughout the day and got detailed answers back.
Sharma said Siraj would watch a few deliveries and then point out specific changes to make, whether that meant adjusting his approach or trying something different. He said those lessons stayed with him and that he continues to work on them when he gets time to practice in Jaipur.
Ishant Sharma’s length advice also stuck
Sharma also pointed to advice from Ishant Sharma when he first joined the Gujarat Titans camp. Ishant asked about his recent Ranji Trophy form, and Sharma told him he had 16 wickets in four matches. Ishant’s message was simple: the wickets were encouraging, but better use of length, especially the good length area, could push that number even higher.
Sharma said that advice meant a lot because Ishant has more than 300 wickets and has spent years bowling to top batters. For a young fast bowler, that kind of feedback matters because it turns raw pace into a more complete package. In Sharma’s case, the combination of pace, wicket-taking and mentorship has now taken him to the India squad.
That is the larger takeaway here. The debut speed reading showed the ceiling. The wicket tally showed progress. And the guidance from Mohammed Siraj and Ishant Sharma explains why India has decided to give Ashok Sharma his first chance on the international stage.
