Rising fast bowler Ashok Sharma has opened up about the invaluable guidance he received from Mohammed Siraj and Ishant Sharma during his breakthrough IPL 2026 campaign with Gujarat Titans. As the young pacer prepares for his maiden assignment with the India National Cricket Team in the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe, he credited the experienced duo for helping shape his approach to fast bowling.
Ashok emerged as one of the biggest revelations of IPL 2026 after consistently troubling batters with his pace and aggression. His impressive performances earned him his first India call-up, but the youngster believes his rapid development would not have been possible without learning from senior fast bowlers inside the Gujarat Titans dressing room.
Speaking to JioStar ahead of the Zimbabwe tour, Ashok revealed that Mohammed Siraj became his go-to mentor whenever the two trained together. The young speedster said he made the most of every opportunity to understand the mental and technical aspects of international fast bowling from one of India’s premier pacers.
“I had a lot of conversations with Siraj bhaiya. Whenever we were together in the dressing room or bowling in the nets, I kept asking him questions. I wanted to know how he handled pressure during matches, what went through his mind before every delivery, and how he planned to dismiss different batters. I discussed all these things with him,” Ashok Sharma said.
According to Ashok, Siraj never hesitated to share his knowledge. Instead of offering generic advice, the India pacer carefully observed his bowling before suggesting technical improvements that could make him more effective.
“Siraj bhaiya would watch two or three of my deliveries and then tell me what needed to change. He explained everything in detail and helped me understand how small adjustments could improve my bowling. I have carried those lessons with me, and whenever I practice in Jaipur, I continue working on those areas,” he added.
Ashok’s hard work quickly translated into results. Bought by Gujarat Titans for ₹90 lakh at the IPL 2025 auction, the right-arm pacer announced himself by clocking an impressive 154.2 kmph on debut against Punjab Kings. He went on to play six matches during IPL 2026, picking up six wickets with best figures of 2/32. His consistent performances eventually earned him a place in India’s T20I squad for the Zimbabwe series.
The youngster also acknowledged the impact of veteran India pacer Ishant Sharma, whose advice proved equally valuable during the early days of the Gujarat Titans camp. Ashok Sharma recalled that Ishant asked about his Ranji Trophy performances before pointing out an area that needed improvement. Although Ashok had claimed 16 wickets in just four matches, the experienced fast bowler believed he could become even more dangerous by consistently hitting the right length.
“Ishant bhai told me that everything looked good, but if I improved my good-length bowling, those 16 wickets could easily become 24. He asked me to focus on maintaining that consistent length because it would create many more wicket-taking opportunities,” Ashok Sharma revealed.
The advice left a lasting impression on the youngster. Knowing that it came from a bowler with more than 300 Test wickets for India gave Ashok immense confidence. He admitted that Ishant’s words reminded him that small technical improvements often separate good bowlers from great ones.
With valuable lessons from Mohammed Siraj and Ishant Sharma, Ashok Sharma now heads into the Zimbabwe T20I series full of confidence. Having already impressed during IPL 2026, the promising pacer will be eager to justify the faith shown in him and make a memorable start to his international career in Indian colours.
