On a sticky Saturday night at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the Indian Premier League welcomed a new speed star. Ashok Sharma, an uncapped bowler for the Gujarat Titans, amazed everyone with his fiery fast bowling, hitting an incredible speed of 154.2 kph. This made him the fastest bowler in the 2026 season, leaving the Rajasthan Royals stunned.
The highlight came during the 16th over when Ashok bowled to Dhruv Jurel. He unleashed a blistering yorker, and Jurel barely got his bat down in time to avoid disaster, completely unaware of where the ball had gone after it made contact.
What’s remarkable is that Ashok achieved this speed even after injuring his finger just moments before. He had to get treatment with an ice pack after trying to stop a hard shot from Donovan Ferreira that came straight at him.
But Ashok didn’t just deliver one fast ball; he repeatedly hit over 150 kph during his four-over spell. Even though the Rajasthan Royals scored a solid 210 for 6 thanks to a strong 75 from Jurel and 55 from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ashok’s performance was still the main talking point. He ended with impressive figures of 1 for 37, claiming the crucial wicket of Shimron Hetmyer, who was looking to ramp up the scoring after getting a lucky break.
Dale Steyn, a legendary bowler, looked at Ashok’s action during the game, noting his swift run-up and the stability of his delivery. He praised Ashok’s technique, calling it one of the best among express bowlers.
### Fastest Deliveries of IPL 2026
1. Ashok Sharma – 154.2 kph
2. Anrich Nortje – 150.9 kph
3. Kartik Tyagi – 149.7 kph
4. Kagiso Rabada – 149.1 kph
### Fastest Deliveries by Indians in IPL
1. Umran Malik – 157 kph for SRH in 2022
2. Mayank Yadav – 156.7 kph for LSG in 2024
3. Ashok Sharma – 154.2 kph for GT in 2026
#### Who is Ashok Sharma?
Ashok made his IPL debut just this week against Punjab Kings, where he bowled his first ball at an impressive 149.7 kph. Shortly after, he claimed his first IPL wicket with a clever slower ball that dismissed Marco Jansen. His performance earned him praise from captain Shubman Gill, who remarked on Ashok’s hard work and his skills as a fielder.
Before joining the Gujarat Titans for ₹90 lakh in the 2026 auction, Ashok was with the Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals but hadn’t played. Now, he’s become one of the most feared bowlers in the league.
Ashok’s story is one of determination. He hails from Rampura, near Jaipur, and grew up in a farm family where financial limitations made it hard for his father, Nathulal, to support multiple cricketing dreams. In a selfless act, Ashok’s elder brother, Akshay, stepped aside from his own cricket aspirations to allow Ashok to chase his dream.
Despite his passion, the path wasn’t easy. Just three years ago, Ashok considered giving up cricket due to a lack of opportunities. He even started preparing for government exams and helped his father on the farm. But fate stepped in when he attended a talent hunt and made a last-minute plea to bowl. In slippers, he impressed scouts with a speed of 140 kph, reviving his career.
Before his incredible night in Ahmedabad, Ashok had already made a name for himself in domestic cricket. In the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he shone as a breakout star, taking 22 wickets in 10 matches and setting a record for the most wickets in a single group stage.
In a journey marked by determination and sacrifice, Ashok Sharma has risen to become one of cricket’s most exciting new talents.
