India’s New Speedster Ashok Sharma Eyes 160 km/h: Can He Break Shoaib Akhtar’s Fastest Delivery Record?

The record for the fastest delivery in international cricket has remained untouched for years, but a young Indian fast bowler is dreaming of challenging that milestone.

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar holds the record for the fastest delivery ever recorded in cricket history, clocking 161.3 km/h. Now, Indian pacer Ashok Sharma believes he has the potential to reach the 160 km/h mark in the future.

The Rajasthan-born fast bowler has recently earned a place in the Indian squad for the T20 series against Zimbabwe after impressing with his raw pace.

Ashok Sharma Targets 160 km/h Speed

Ashok Sharma recently made headlines during the Indian Premier League, where he represented Gujarat Titans.

During the tournament, Sharma reportedly bowled at around 154 km/h, becoming one of the fastest bowlers of the season.

Speaking in an interview with The Times of India, the 23-year-old pacer said that improving his pace has always been a priority.

He said he has never compromised on speed and hopes to touch 160 km/h one day while continuing to focus on improving his overall bowling.

Competition Helps Him Improve

Sharma believes healthy competition plays an important role in a cricketer’s growth.

According to him, competing with talented players pushes athletes to improve every day and helps them become better performers.

For a fast bowler, maintaining pace along with accuracy, fitness, and consistency is considered a major challenge.

Journey From Domestic Cricket to Team India

Ashok Sharma’s rise has been impressive.

He took 22 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which helped him attract attention from IPL scouts. Later, he joined the Gujarat Titans setup.

Although his IPL performances were not as impactful as expected, his express pace caught the attention of selectors.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has now included him in the squad for the Zimbabwe T20 series, giving him an opportunity to showcase his talent at the international level.

Can Ashok Sharma Break Shoaib Akhtar’s Record?

Reaching 161.3 km/h is one of cricket’s toughest challenges. Very few bowlers in history have crossed the 150 km/h mark consistently, and speed alone does not guarantee success.

However, with his current pace, young age, and ambition, Ashok Sharma has emerged as one of India’s exciting fast-bowling prospects.

Whether he can surpass Shoaib Akhtar’s legendary record remains to be seen, but his journey toward becoming one of the fastest bowlers in the world has already begun.