Clocked 154.2 kmph in debut IPL, 23-year-old pacer gets India A call-up for must-win tri-series clash

23-year-old tearaway pacer Ashok Sharma has received his maiden India A call-up for the ongoing tri-series on Sri Lankan soil. Ashok has been added to the squad as replacement for an injured Yudhvir Singh.

As per a report by TOI, Ashok will fly to Sri Lanka on June 16 on the eve of their must-win clash against Afghanistan A in Dambulla.

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The India A call-up came after Ashok left Rajasthan to play domestic cricket for Gujarat. The express pacer has already received the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA).

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“For better opportunities, I decided to move to Gujarat," Ashok told the English daily.

Ashok’s white-ball experience

Ashok has limited experience in One-Day cricket. In the previous Vijay Hazare Trophy season, he made his List A debut. From seven games, he claimed 13 wickets, including a fifer.

However, he had a breakout season in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). In India's domestic T20 competition, he claimed 22 wickets, joint-most in the season. GT picked him for Rs 90 lakh in the mini-auction.

For GT, he played six games and bagged as many wickets. He was picked ahead of Gurnoor Brar. But in the latter half of the season, he did not get a single game.

India A’s updated squad -

Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Priyansh Arya, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma (c), Ayush Badoni, Suryansh Shedge, Anukul Roy, Arshad Khan, Vipraj Nigam, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur, Kumar Kushagra, Nishant Sindhu, Ashok Sharma.

Why Ashok has been picked for must-win game?

After the DLS loss to Afghanistan A and a dramatic super over loss to Sri Lanka A, India A will play their must-win game on June 17. If they beat Afghanistan A, they are highly likely to go through to the final which is scheduled to be played on June 21.

India A are in need of a tearaway pacer. Anshul Kamboj took one wicket from two games and was replaced by Yash Thakur for the third game. Thakur replaced him and conceded 29 runs from three overs. Only Arshad Khan has been impressive with the ball among pacers. Ashok’s raw pace may trouble Afghanistan A batters in the must-win game.