Ashok Sharma can go places, one to watch out for: Jason Holder impressed with GT pacer
Jason Holder has backed Ashok Sharma as a bowler to watch, praising his rare natural pace and evolving skill set in the Indian Premier League 2026. He believes that with fitness, hunger, and experience, the young Gujarat Titans pacer can develop into a complete and dangerous fast bowler.
Jason Holder believes Ashok Sharma has the potential to go a long way, identifying him as a bowler to watch out for. Representing the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League 2026 season, Ashok has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting fast-bowling prospects, thanks to his raw pace and ability to consistently hit high speeds.
Holder was particularly impressed with Sharma’s skill set beyond pace, highlighting his control over variations such as slower balls and yorkers. He believes that with time and experience, Sharma will develop into an even more dangerous and complete fast bowler.
"To see a young bowler come in and bowl at 145 kmph consistently... Ashok has been one of those guys who has really impressed me on that front. He's got pace, and beyond his pace is his skill... You see his slower balls, you see he's able to nail the yorkers, and over a period of time, he'll gain experience, he'll gain knowledge and understand when to bowl his deliveries at the best time,” Holder told PTI.
‘YOU CAN’T TRAIN PACE’
The 23-year-old right-arm pacer grabbed the attention after clocking a 154.2 km/h delivery, the fastest ball of IPL 2026 against Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Holder said Ashok possesses natural pace, a rare gift that cannot be taught, and praised his developing skills, noting that fitness, hunger, and experience will shape how far he progresses.
"I'm really excited to see his progress. I think he's one to watch out for. If he remains fit and remains hungry, I think he can definitely go places. You can't train pace. You either have pace or you don't have pace and to sustain it without being injured for a very long time is difficult,” Holder said.
"So he's got a natural gift for being quick, but he's added some skills as well. So, I guess with more experience and more knowledge about the game, I expect pretty good things from him," Holder added.
In six matches so far, Ashok Sharma has taken six wickets at an economy rate of 10.85, with best figures of 2 for 32 in four overs against the Lucknow Super Giants.
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