Ashok Sharma will be playing for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season after being auctioned in December for INR 90 lakh.
Ashok Sharma who is he?
Ashok Sharma, a Jaipur-based right-arm fast bowler, was first noticed holding at the Rajasthan trials which earned him a place as a net bowler. He gained more attention through his strong performances in the Rajasthan Premier League 2023 when he took eight wickets in seven matches. Over the years, Ashok transformed into a trustworthy fast bowler and nowadays rarely bowls under 140.
He was sold at the IPL 2022 auction to Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 55 lakh. Yet, he was not given a chance to play. A few seasons later IPL 2025 auction brought him to the Royals for INR 30 lakh but he once again did not get to play.
Ashok’s initial domestic debut in 2025 was for Rajasthan and he steadily made progress in all formats. The first four First-Class matches went for the bowler who took 14 wickets. In One-Day matches, he has through seven outings taken 13. In T20s, 10, and 22 respectively.
How Ashok Sharma’s Bowling Was Boosted By Pat Cummins
At KKR, the bowler was given advice by Pat Cummins which brought about his improvement. Cummins advised focusing on his main strength and not changing his natural style. Bowling hard lengths at a good pace was the strength and the advice was to keep doing that regularly.
Slowing down was never a thought for me. My only objective was to maintain my pace along with hitting the right length. I spent a great deal of time with Pat Cummins in 2022. He was curious to know what I considered my strength. I replied that I was capable of hitting a very hard length at a good speed. He advised me to continue in that way. At every practise, I recall his sayings. They still reverberate in my mind,” Ashok told TOI during an interview.
Gujarat Titans Contract Reached Through Strong SMAT 2025 Performance
One of the best performances of Ashok was in SMAT 2025 where he took 22 wickets in 11 matches with 3/21 being his best figures. His average was 17.18 and rate was 8.92. He finished as the co-winner of the tournament in terms of wickets taken.
The first half of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 season has seen Ashok Sharma take 13 wickets in seven matches, thereby continuing the form that had been so good previously.
He may not be in the starting line-up when the IPL 2026 season begins as it is highly possible that Siraj, Prasidh, and Rabada would be featured. But the Titan’s strong chances of playing with him and the fighter’s pace going, he could be an important player for the Gujarat franchise who may consider him as an impact player when they go with four pacers.