JAIPUR: Before 2026 IPL started, Ashok Sharma had little reward in mind for his efforts: upgrading his silver chain to gold. But his older brother Akshay rejected him with a challenge: get the India cap first. Ashok did not give up easily. Before leaving to play for India A in the Tri Nation A Series in Sri Lanka, he enthusiastically reminded his brother about the promotion.The answer is still a firm no. He was told that the gold would await the government’s invitation to India.Now, that dream has become widespread. With his selection for the T20I series in Zimbabwe this July, the ban has been lifted. Akshay promised that once Ashok returns home from Bengaluru, where he is playing in the Poor Men’s Championship, he will finally be allowed to buy a gold chain of his choice.But now, considering the Indian hat in her hand, the jewelry has come into focus. Instead, the 24-year-old fast bowler is completely wrapped up in seeing his bowling plans and considering his first step into the Indian dressing room. “Right now, my focus is just to prepare,” Sharma told TOI.On the brink of his international debut, the batsman from Rajasthan is drawing on a wealth of knowledge gathered from his IPL journey, whether he is grinding as a net bowler, waiting in the wings or cracking the playing XI. In a candid interview, he talks about the success of his domestic season and the important advice given by the head coach of Gujarat Titans. Ashish Nehra. Source:Bowling Plans:When it comes to preparing for this big opportunity, I stick to the things I’ve been following so far, do my best, and focus on them. My main strength is hitting a solid length, which allows me to deliver well, so I focus on bowling from there. I will also be flexible to what the team needs at any given time, whether that means short balls or yorkers depending on the nature of the game.First years of IPL with KKR and RR:I really appreciate my time with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) because you learn something or the other from each. I didn’t make it into the playing XI, but I had the chance to be around celebrities and international stars like Pat Cummins, Team Southee, Shane BondSandeep Sharma, and KKR’s bowling coach at the time Bharat Arun sir.I vividly remember the conversation I had with Pat Cummins in 2022 when I was with KKR. I asked him what else I need to do to change, and he asked me, ‘What are your strengths? When I told him that I can hit hard any time with a bowl in that area whenever it is needed, he told me to make that one thing so good that even if someone wakes me up in the middle of the night, I have to shoot it flawlessly. He reminded me that every great player needs one iconic weapon, like Jasprit Bumrah or Lasith Malinga are known to their players.Released by RR inspired me:Right before the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, when our fourth Ranji match was going on, the reserve list came out and RR dropped me. That setback stuck in my mind, and I realized that things would not go well with that kind of effort, and I needed to do better. I used that energy to focus on what was in my hands and give it my all, and luckily, that’s what happened. I finished as the highest wicket-taker, equaling Jharkhand’s Sushant Mishra on 22 wickets.Growing speed:My speed was normal when I started, although it wasn’t fast at first. I was bowling around 130-135 km/h during my Under 19 days. Over time, through consistent bowling, rigorous training and paying attention to my diet, my bowling improved and the speed gradually increased. Hitting 150 km/h was a target I used to discuss with my coach in Jaipur, Vinay Meena. I have been training with him for my body and ground work since 2022.Nehra’s advice:After the season with Gujarat Titans, Ashish Nehra boss gave me a real check. He told me that the years I have now are the best years of my career, and if these two or three years pass, no one will ask about me. He told me not to be content with India A or things like that, but to aim to play 100 Testos for India. My career is just beginning and my future is far away, but my goal is to play at least 60 to 70 test matches for the country.Support from adults:Whenever I bowled in the net, seniors like Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Ishant Sharma were there to help me. Whenever I had a problem or wanted to learn how to make a good delivery, I could ask anyone and everyone was willing to help me.My stint with India A on the tour of Sri Lanka was also an enjoyable one, although I only made it to the finals as a substitute player. It was good because I got to play in the final, I learned some things that I can improve, and I had a good chat with the bowling team coach. Lakshmipathy Balaji. Right now it’s my age to study, so I try to absorb as much as I can every chance I get.Family dynamics:Everyone at home has always supported me, but my brother is the one who did everything to make my dreams come true. He also wanted to be a cricketer, but because we were financially strapped, only one of us could do it. He willingly left, giving up his chance at school so that our father, who is a farmer, could pay my bills. However, he did not leave the game. He is now running a small cricket school in Jaipur.He was the one who told me about my selection in the Indian team. My older brother still takes care of all my money. I still have to seek his approval and explain everything to him, like during the IPL when I bought an iPad and had to clear the receipt through him.