'I consider him my mentor' - Ashok Sharma opens up on Ashish Nehra's impact on his career

Fast bowler Ashok Sharma credited Ashish Nehra's backing as crucial to his rise, marking his maiden India call-up for the Zimbabwe T20I series beginning Thursday, July 23, 2026. The young pacer earned selection after impressing with Rajasthan in the domestic circuit and delivering consistently with Gujarat Titans during IPL 2026. His emergence comes as the BCCI prepares fresh faces for the three-match series at Harare Sports Club.

Sharma's path to international recognition accelerated following strong performances in domestic T20 cricket and the franchise competition. He concluded the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26 as the leading wicket-taker with 22 scalps across 10 innings for Rajasthan. The combination of domestic success and IPL exposure earned him recognition in the squad announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

"Whenever I talk about belief, I think of Nehra sir. I used to go to him with every doubt. Whenever I had any self-doubt or needed to ask something, I would approach him. He had told me once, 'Even if you come to me at midnight with a question, I will be ready for you.' So whenever I had any doubt, whether it was about a delivery or anything related to my bowling, I would go to him. After matches, I would go to his room and watch videos of my bowling. I would ask him what more I could perfect and what I needed to work on. I consider him my mentor. I have learned so much from him this IPL season, and he has helped me a lot," said Ashok on JioStar.

What are Ashok Sharma's immediate goals?

Sharma also articulated his short-term targets now that he has made the squad. The 23-year-old expressed his primary focus as earning his India jersey and maximizing the Zimbabwe opportunity.

"My first target will be to wear the India jersey. I am waiting for that moment, to wear that jersey and represent my nation. Now that I am in the squad for the series against Zimbabwe, my next target will be to take as many wickets as possible and try to play as many matches as I can. I want to make this opportunity count. My next goal after that will be to play red-ball cricket for India as soon as possible," said Ashok.

The series runs from July 23 to 26 at Harare Sports Club, with matches scheduled for July 23, July 25, and July 26. Sharma receives his maiden T20I selection alongside pacer Yash Thakur and wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh. With domestic and IPL momentum on his side, the pacer enters international cricket with a clear roadmap and trusted mentor backing his progress.