Jaipur. A story emerging from a small village Rampura near Jaipur is in discussion in the entire cricket world these days. This story is not just about a fast ball, but about a journey that has gone through struggle, waiting and sacrifice of the family. In IPL 2026, this young bowler named Ashok Sharma did something which caught everyone’s attention.
Throwing the ball at a speed of 154.2 kilometers per hour is not an easy task. But this player from Rampura did it and made the record of bowling the fastest ball of the season. Now people have also started recognizing him by the name of ‘Raftaar Singh’. This speed is clearly visible not only in the ball but also in his entire journey.
From small village to IPL, the journey was full of struggle
Ashok Sharma’s family was ordinary. Father Nathulal is a farmer and mother Lali Devi is a housewife. The condition of the house was such that the family wanted Ashok to study and do a government job. But since childhood, he and his elder brother Akshay were fond of cricket.
Gradually this hobby turned into passion. But the biggest turning point came when elder brother Akshay gave up his own dream. He left cricket and took up the responsibility of the house, so that Ashok could concentrate fully on his career. This sacrifice is visible today in every ball that Ashok bowls at high speed.
Ashok got admission in Aravali Cricket Academy of Jaipur, from where hope arose. But his coach Vivek Yadav passed away during the Corona period. This was a big setback, but he did not give up and started working harder.
Waiting for the opportunity, then one ball changed the identity
In the year 2022, Kolkata Knight Riders bought him for Rs 55 lakh, but did not get a chance to play. After this, he also joined Rajasthan Royals in 2025, but did not get a chance to take the field there too.
After a long wait, Gujarat Titans expressed confidence in him in 2026. And that’s where the story changed. Got a chance and Ashok converted that opportunity into a record. The 154.2 km/hr ball brought him into the news overnight. Today there is an atmosphere of happiness in Rampura village. Family, friends and village people are accepting this success as their own. Father Nathulal, mother Lali Devi, brother Akshay and friends also look emotional remembering this journey.
