There are risks associated with bowling at 150 kmph, but Ashok Sharma, the latest IPL pace sensation, is adamant that leading a disciplined lifestyle—which includes getting enough sleep—can greatly reduce the likelihood of breakdowns.
In his second IPL match, the Gujarat Titans bowler stunned the cricket community with a booming 154.2 kmph delivery against the Rajasthan Royals.
https://x.com/gujarat_titans/status/2040495580691275924?s=20
After a great season for Rajasthan in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the 23-year-old was acquired by GT for Rs 90 lakh. Last season, he also made his first-class and List A debut.
Prior to him, players like Umran Malik and Mayank Yadav had created comparable waves before being sidelined by recurrent injuries.
His greatest asset is his extra speed, and the Rajasthani speedster is completely aware of the risks of injury and how to deal with them.
“If you are a fast bowler, injury will happen. You can only avoid that by sleeping on time, focusing on your recovery and diet. What I follow is doing things on time, I don’t skip it. The daily routine that I have I follow strictly. There is no compromise on a gym or pool session,” PTI quoted Ashok, who is not obsessed with breaking the 157 kmph record in the IPL, as saying.
Ashok comes from a farming family and trains at the Aravalli Cricket Academy in Jaipur, where Mukul Choudhary, the overnight batting hero for the Lucknow Super Giants, also trains.
The family could only sustain one of the two at that time, so Ashok’s brother had to give up his dream of playing cricket.
Ashok wants to play for India, just like any other aspiring cricket player. He treats all formats equally, and he discusses fast bowling with Mohammed Siraj, Ishant Sharma, and head coach Ashish Nehra at the GT camp.
What are his preferred deliveries, then?
“I like back of the hand slower one and yorker the most,” he said.
“I love all formats. Four-day game is very important. Played nine games last year (age group). This year I played four Ranji games. I want to play across formats,” said the soft spoken Ashok.
When questioned about the primary distinction between domestic and IPL cricket, Ashok responded, “…margin for error is much lesser in the IPL. You can’t make mistakes in IPL while in domestic cricket there are times you would go unpunished for bowling a bad ball.”
Ashok is grateful that cricket has enabled him to give his family a respectable living.
“Life has changed a lot (after the IPL). From where I was to where I am, I got so much to learn. The dream is to play for India. For family members, I remain the same. As far as relatives are concerned, rishtedaar toh sabke ek jaise hote hain (when you do well they are with you, when you are struggling, they turn their back on you),” he said with a laugh.
