IPL 2026 season has formally discovered its breakout quick bowler. Within the match between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) on the Narendra Modi Stadium on April 4, 2026, 23-year-old Ashok Sharma despatched shockwaves by the cricketing world by bowling a supply clocked at a staggering 154.2 km/h.
Coming into his third over (the sixteenth of the primary innings), Ashok Sharma had already been constantly hitting the 145-149 km/h bracket. Nonetheless, it was the ultimate supply to Rajasthan’s Dhruv Jurel that etched his title into the report books. The seething yorker not solely pinned the batter but in addition registered 154.2 km/h on the speedometer, making it the quickest ball of IPL 2026 to this point.
Second of Influence
With this feat, Ashok has now change into the third-fastest Indian bowler in IPL historical past, trailing solely the legendary speeds of Umran Malik (157 km/h) and Mayank Yadav (156.7 km/h).
Quickest Deliveries in IPL Historical past (Prime 10)
1. Shaun Tait – 157.7 km/h
2. Lockie Ferguson – 157.3 km/h
3. Umran Malik – 157.0 km/h
4. Mayank Yadav – 156.7 km/h
5. Mayank Yadav – 155.8 km/h
6. Anrich Nortje – 156.2 km/h
7. Anrich Nortje – 154.8 km/h
8. Dale Steyn – 154.4 km/h
9. Kagiso Rabada – 154.2 km/h
10. Ashok Sharma – 154.2 km/h
Shades of Umran and Mayank
The Rajasthan-born pacer, who beforehand had stints with the Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders with out getting a constant run, has lastly discovered his rhythm below the Gujarat Titans’ administration. Followers and analysts have rapidly drawn parallels between Ashok and India’s different velocity demons, Umran Malik and Mayank Yadav, citing his uncooked tempo and aggressive size as “shades of greatness.”
What makes Ashok much more harmful is his skill to combine his uncooked warmth with strategic slower balls, displaying a degree of maturity that belies his age.
The Street Forward
Ashok Sharma’s efficiency has boosted GT’s bowling shares, particularly with the absence of Mohammed Shami in early video games. If he maintains this degree of health and accuracy, a call-up to the nationwide aspect for the post-IPL season appears virtually inevitable.