Ashok Sharma, a pacer, has made his debut for India in the opening match of the T20I series against Zimbabwe in Harare. The match, played on Thursday, saw India skipper Shreyas Iyer win the toss and elect to field first. Sharma’s inclusion marks a significant moment for the young bowler, who has risen through the ranks from district-level tournaments.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) acknowledged Sharma’s debut, tweeting about the special occasion and sharing images of him receiving his Team India cap. Sharma, who hails from Rampura near Jaipur, is the son of a farmer and has navigated a challenging path to reach this milestone in international cricket.
Sharma’s Domestic and IPL Journey
Sharma’s breakthrough came during the 2025-26 domestic season, where he showcased his talent by taking 22 wickets in just 10 games in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His performance in this tournament highlighted his potential and brought him into the spotlight. Additionally, he has secured 14 wickets in the Ranji Trophy, further solidifying his reputation as a promising fast bowler.
His impressive domestic form led to his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut in the 2026 season, where he played for the Gujarat Titans. During his time with the Titans, Sharma demonstrated his ability to bowl at high speeds, clocking over 100 kmph. Notably, in a match against the Rajasthan Royals, he delivered a ball at 154 kmph to Dhruv Jurel, which was recorded as the fastest delivery ever in the IPL.
Sharma has expressed gratitude towards Gujarat Titans coach Ashish Nehra, whom he considers a mentor. Ahead of the T20I opener, Sharma shared that he frequently approached Nehra with any doubts or questions he had about his bowling. Nehra had reportedly assured Sharma of his availability, even at midnight, to discuss any bowling-related queries.
Sharma recounted how he would visit Nehra’s room after matches to review videos of his bowling, seeking advice on how to improve and perfect his technique. He credited Nehra for significant learning and assistance during the IPL season, highlighting the coach’s impact on his development as one of India’s fast bowlers, representing Rajasthan in domestic cricket.
Team Line-ups and Other Debuts
The Indian playing eleven for the first T20I included Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Ashok Sharma, and Mayank Yadav. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a teen sensation, also made his debut in this match.
For the first time, India also named concussion substitutes for specific positions. These included Suryansh Shedge (batter, all-rounder), Prabhsimran Singh (wicketkeeper), Harsh Dubey (spinner), and Yash Thakur (pace bowler).
The Zimbabwean team for the match featured Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (captain), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanshe Marumani (wicketkeeper), Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava, and Blessing Muzarabani. Zimbabwean batter Milton Shumba was ruled out of the T20I series due to a right hamstring injury, with Innocent Kaia named as his replacement.
The three-match T20I series began on Thursday in Harare.
Read Also
Source: m.rediff.com
