IPL 2026: “Exciting prospect” – Wasim Jaffer praises Ashok Sharma after GT vs RR clash

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer praised young bowler Ashok Sharma after the IPL 2026 match between the Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals. He called him an “exciting prospect” after his strong performance in the game. Many fans and experts also noticed his bowling.

Ashok Sharma impressed everyone with his speed and confidence. He bowled very fast and troubled the batsmen during the match. His performance became one of the main talking points after the game.

Even though the Gujarat Titans lost the match, Ashok Sharma’s effort stood out. Wasim Jaffer’s praise shows that he believes the young player has a bright future. Fans are now excited to see how he performs in the upcoming matches.

Wasim Jaffer lauds Ashok Sharma’s impressive performance

Ashok Sharma delivered a standout performance in the IPL 2026 clash between the Gujarat Titans and the Rajasthan Royals, catching attention with his sheer pace and control. The young fast bowler produced the fastest delivery of the season—a fiery 154.2 kmph yorker to Dhruv Jurel—which quickly became one of the biggest highlights of the match.

Reacting to the performance, former PBKS coach Wasim Jaffer praised the youngster, saying, “Ashok Sharma really exciting prospect. Hope he doesn’t go the other bowlers way, who show promise in IPL but then frizzle out.” His remarks reflected both admiration and caution, as he highlighted the challenges young bowlers often face in maintaining consistency after early success.

Jaffer further added, “The key is to still prioritise red ball cricket even after playing IPL as bowling 15-17 overs in a day is how you build a solid bowling base.” He stressed that focusing on longer formats will be crucial for Sharma’s development and long-term success in professional cricket.

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How Ashok Sharma stood out in GT vs RR IPL 2026 clash

Ashok Sharma emerged as one of the standout performers in the IPL 2026 clash between the Gujarat Titans and the Rajasthan Royals, impressing with his pace and consistency. The 23-year-old pacer regularly clocked speeds above 145 kmph and even touched the 150 kmph mark twice in a single over. His standout delivery—a blistering 154.2 kmph ball—became the fastest of the season, surpassing Anrich Nortje’s earlier record of 150.9 kmph.

Strong domestic performances have backed Sharma’s rise to the IPL stage. He earned his place after finishing as Rajasthan’s leading wicket-taker in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Gujarat Titans showed confidence in the young pacer by including him early in the playing XI, and he has rewarded that faith with consistent performances so far.

According to the IPL’s official website, Sharma is highly rated for his ability to swing the ball both ways while maintaining accuracy and control. He was previously part of the Rajasthan Royals setup as a net bowler, where he impressed several senior players. He also caught the attention of the Kolkata Knight Riders during their trials and was picked up for INR 55 lakh in the 2022 IPL auction.

The website further noted, “Ashok is rated highly for being able to swing the ball both ways, while also maintaining accuracy and consistency with his line and length.” It added that he moved to the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025 before being acquired by the Gujarat Titans in the 2026 auction for INR 90 lakh.

In terms of numbers, Sharma has an impressive record across formats. He has taken 33 wickets in 11 T20 matches, along with 14 wickets in four first-class games and 13 wickets in seven List A matches, underlining his growing reputation as a promising fast bowler.

Despite his impressive spell, the Rajasthan Royals managed to post a strong total of 210/6 after opting to bat first. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provided a solid foundation, adding 69 runs during the powerplay and setting the tone for a high-scoring contest.