India's Rising Star Vows To Break Shoaib Akhtar's 161.3 kmph Record

Shoaib Akhtar in Pakistan [Source: AFP]

Gujarat Titans bowler Ashok Sharma who had a breakout Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season in 2025 has vowed to break a world record that a Pakistan legend holds very dear to his own self. The legendary record of bowling the fastest ever ball bowled by a human being, at 161.3 kmph is held by Pakistan pace legend Shoaib Akhtar.

The domestic player of Rajasthan, Ashok, have now exclaimed that he holds the calibre to break this record by touching the unimaginable speed one day. The Rajasthan talent had a decent IPL 2026 season and impressed with his raw pace that also earned him a maiden call up in the India A team for Sri Lanka tour. 

Ashok Sharma promises express pace to break Shoaib Akhtar’s record

The legendary Rawalpindi Express bowled the 161 fiery delivery to England’s Nick Knight back in 2003 Cricket World Cup. It instantly made headlines as Akhtar became the only bowler in human history to breach the 100 mile barrier. The record however, still stands untouched with the closest ever ball being bowled by only Brett Lee and Shaun Tait.

Lee clocked 161.1kph officially while Tait recorded 160.7 and 161.1 as well during their career back in 2005 and 2010 respectively. However, the elite record still stands with Akhtar, which Ashok Sharma is dreaming to go close to.

In an exclusive interview with the Times Of India, Ashok shared how he wants to touch the 160kph standard one day. The 23 year old earned his recognition with a 22 wickets haul in SMAT and also because of his raw pace where clocking at 154 kph. 

Expressing in the interview, Sharma indirectly hinted towards breaking Shoaib Akhtar’s legendary record as he longs to upscale his speed.

"I never want to compromise on my pace. My focus is always on improving my bowling. If everything goes well, maybe I can touch 160 kph one day, but I don't think too much about that. I just want to keep getting better and become more skilful," says Sharma.

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How does Ashok Sharma intend to improve his bowling?

To fast-track this improvement, Ashok also stressed the importance of having a healthy competition among teammates and rival teams as well. The GT pacer shared how he looks to improve his bowling.

"Healthy competition is always important. If there is no competition, you won't push yourself to improve. Competition motivates you to become better every day. Be it speed or wickets, it helps you grow as a cricketer," Ashok said.

Will Ashok Sharma debut for India anytime soon?

The last nine months have been pretty productive for the Titans pacer with a massive development and a place in the India A team. As talents like Prince Yadav, Suryansh Shedge and even Harshit Rana were called up by seeing their IPL performances, Ashok’s road to the senior team might be a solid IPL gig next year.

His performance for the India A team was not super effective, but he managed to get a wicket while giving away 75 runs in the ODI game. Sharma managed to play only six games in IPL 2026, and in the process, he scalped 6 wickets. He was expensive with the ball at an economy rate of 10.86.

How can BCCI fast-track the pace sensation to the senior team?

Pace bowlers are always an asset for a cricket team, and there’s no doubt that Ashok can also be one. Umran Malik, the J&K sensation and IPL 2022 star, was handed his debut for India in 2023 in ODIs and T20Is; however, his form and physical fitness didn’t last long. The bowler had several injuries that eventually sidelined him from playing cricket regularly.

Fast bowlers are prone to injuries, and if the BCCI intends to rope him in the senior team, they can do so by carefully managing his workload alongside star pacers like Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana or Jasprit Bumrah. 

With Bumrah reaching almost the fag end of his career, a pace bowling replacement is required, and the promise that Ashok Sharma brings can be a deadly weapon the BCCI can use if managed smartly.

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