Nehra urges Sharma to target 100 Tests as Rajasthan pacer earns India call-up

Ashok Sharma has received his first call-up to the Indian T20I squad for the upcoming series in Zimbabwe, marking a significant milestone for the 24-year-old fast bowler from Rajasthan. The selection follows a domestic campaign where Sharma was joint-highest wicket-taker in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, taking 22 scalps. His emergence into the national setup has been closely observed by Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra, who has advised the pacer to look beyond short-term gains and aim for a career spanning 100 Test matches.

Nehra’s guidance comes as Sharma transitions from domestic prominence to the international stage. The coach emphasised that Sharma’s current age represents the optimal window for development, warning against complacency with India A status. While Sharma has expressed a personal ambition to play between 60 and 70 Tests, Nehra’s directive underscores the institutional expectation for long-term contribution to the national team’s Test programme.

Sharma’s path to the squad was marked by both resilience and strategic refinement. After being released by the Rajasthan Royals prior to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he channelled the setback into motivation, resulting in his joint-top wicket-taking performance. His bowling technique has been honed through rigorous training with Jaipur-based trainer Vinay Meena since 2022, increasing his pace from the 130–135 km/h range in his Under-19 days to approximately 150 km/h.

A key component of his development has been mentorship from senior figures within the Indian cricket ecosystem. During his time with Kolkata Knight Riders, Sharma received specific advice from former Australian captain Pat Cummins to master a single defining weapon. Sharma identified his ability to hit the 'hard length' to extract bounce as that strength, a technique he has since refined. He has also benefited from net sessions with Indian seniors including Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Ishant Sharma.

The financial foundation for Sharma’s career was laid by his elder brother, Akshay, who sacrificed his own cricketing ambitions to support Ashok’s training. Akshay, who now runs a small academy in Jaipur, had previously placed an embargo on Ashok purchasing a gold chain until he secured an international debut. With the Zimbabwe call-up confirmed, that restriction has been lifted, though Sharma remains focused on preparation for the Emerging Men’s Tournament in Bengaluru and the subsequent T20I series.