Ashok Sharma eyes India debut in Zimbabwe T20Is: 'First target is to wear that jersey'
Synopsis
Ashok Sharma's first goal isn't wickets — it's the jersey. The fast bowler, called up for India's T20I series against Zimbabwe starting 23 July in Harare, says wearing the blue for the first time is the milestone he has chased through years of domestic grind. After that, he wants wickets, matches, and eventually red-ball cricket for India — with Dale Steyn as his blueprint.
Key Takeaways
Ashok Sharma has received his maiden senior India call-up for the T20I series against Zimbabwe , beginning 23 July in Harare .
The three-match series runs from 23 to 26 July , with Ashok in line for a potential debut.
Ashok's stated first goal is to wear the India jersey ; his second is to take as many wickets as possible.
He also expressed ambitions to play red-ball cricket for India as soon as possible.
Ashok previously trained with India A in Sri Lanka in June as a replacement for injured pacer Yudhvir Singh .
He named former South Africa great Dale Steyn as his primary role model, citing Steyn's aggression, run-up, and ability to set up batters.
Fast bowler Ashok Sharma has spoken candidly about the weight of earning his maiden senior India call-up, saying that pulling on the national jersey for the first time remains his singular immediate goal as the team prepares for a three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, beginning 23 July in Harare. The series runs through 26 July, with Ashok firmly in contention for a debut appearance.
The Dream of the Blue Jersey
Speaking to Jio Star ahead of the tour, Ashok left no ambiguity about what matters most to him right now. 'My first target will be to wear the India jersey. I am waiting for that moment to wear that jersey and represent my nation. I have waited for this for a long time,' he said. He added that he would not deviate from the routines and discipline that brought him this far: 'I will stick to my strengths and not try anything extra.'
The 23-year-old's composure in framing his goals — jersey first, wickets second — reflects a maturity that domestic cricket tends to instil over years of grinding performances.
Targets for the Zimbabwe Tour
Beyond the debut milestone, Ashok has set himself clear performance benchmarks for the series. '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,' he said. He also revealed a longer-term ambition: 'My next goal after that will be to play red-ball cricket for India as soon as possible.'
That aspiration signals that Ashok views the Zimbabwe assignment not as a destination but as a launchpad — a chance to build credibility across formats.
Road to the Call-Up
Ashok's path to the senior squad has been methodical. Before receiving the national call-up, he was drafted into the India A squad during their tour of Sri Lanka in June, joining the developmental side as a replacement after pacer Yudhvir Singh sustained a fielding injury. That stint gave him exposure to the structures and intensity of representative cricket above the domestic level.
His consistent performances in domestic cricket across seasons laid the foundation that selectors eventually rewarded with a senior berth.
Dale Steyn: The Blueprint Ashok Follows
Ashok also identified former South Africa pace legend Dale Steyn as the bowler who has shaped his cricketing philosophy most profoundly. 'Dale Steyn is a bowler who is a match-winner in himself. On his day, when his bowling was on point, he could win matches single-handedly. He could take the game away from the opposition in a matter of a few overs,' Ashok said.
He elaborated on the specific qualities he has tried to absorb: 'I follow him in terms of his aggression, his run-up, his intensity and the way he used to set up batters. Everything about him is inspiring. He is someone I look up to as a fast bowler.'
Choosing Steyn — widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in Test history — as a role model underscores Ashok's ambitions beyond white-ball cricket. The Zimbabwe T20I series begins 23 July in Harare, and India's newest pace prospect will be hoping to make his first impression count.
Point of View
Often treated as low-stakes, is where that depth gets tested under pressure for the first time. His ambition to move into red-ball cricket quickly is the more interesting signal: India's Test pace attack will eventually need replenishment, and how a bowler handles his first senior white-ball outing often shapes the selectors' confidence in backing him for longer formats. The Steyn comparison he draws is aspirational, but the underlying attributes — aggression, economy of run-up, batter-setting — are exactly what India's Test setup prizes. Whether Zimbabwe is a footnote or a first chapter depends entirely on what Ashok does with the ball in Harare.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does India's T20I series against Zimbabwe start?
The three-match T20I series between India and Zimbabwe begins on 23 July in Harare and concludes on 26 July . Ashok Sharma is part of the Indian squad and is in contention for a debut.
Who is Ashok Sharma and why has he been called up?
Ashok Sharma is a young Indian fast bowler who has earned his maiden senior national call-up on the back of consistent domestic cricket performances. He was also part of the India A squad in Sri Lanka in June, where he joined as a replacement for injured pacer Yudhvir Singh.
What are Ashok Sharma's goals for the Zimbabwe tour?
Ashok has outlined a clear priority list: first, to wear the India jersey and make his debut; second, to take as many wickets as possible across as many matches as he can play. He has also stated that playing red-ball cricket for India is his next major ambition after the T20I series.
Who is Ashok Sharma's cricketing role model?
Ashok Sharma has named former South Africa pace legend Dale Steyn as his primary role model. He specifically cites Steyn's aggression, run-up, intensity, and ability to set up batters as qualities he tries to replicate in his own bowling.
What was Ashok Sharma's involvement with India A before this call-up?
Ashok Sharma was drafted into the India A squad during their tour of Sri Lanka in June as a replacement for pacer Yudhvir Singh, who suffered a fielding injury. The stint allowed him to train and travel with the developmental squad ahead of his senior call-up.
