India will face Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series in New Delhi from Sept 13 to 17, with several key players left out of the squad. Here’s a look at the top names missing from the Indian team.

India will face Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series in New Delhi from Sept 13 to 17, with several key players left out of the squad. Here’s a look at the top names missing from the Indian team.

From Rinku Singh to Mayank Yadav, 5 players dropped from India’s squad for Afghanistan T20Is

Rajasthan-born fast bowler Ashok Sharma made his India debut on Thursday (July 23) in the first T20I of the three-match series against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club. The 24-year-old pacer, who represents Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL), earned his maiden international cap after an impressive IPL 2026 campaign, where his express pace attracted widespread attention. Ashok was preferred over Yash Thakur in India's playing XI for the series opener.&nbsp;Before making his T20I debut, Ashok had featured in 16 T20 matches, picking up 28 wickets. In the IPL, he has played six matches for Gujarat Titans and claimed six wickets. Ashok became the 23rd player to make his T20I debut for India on Zimbabwean soil. During India's previous tour of Zimbabwe in July 2024, Abhishek Sharma, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Tushar Deshpande and Sai Sudharsan also received their maiden T20I caps.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/spain-s-world-cup-stars-fabian-ruiz-and-gavi-rewarded-with-their-weight-in-tomatoes-here-s-why-1784803248813">Spain's World Cup stars Fabian Ruiz and Gavi rewarded with their weight in tomatoes. Here's why</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A special moment ahead of the series opener in Harare! Congratulations to Ashok Sharma, who is all set to make his <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> Debut 👏👏 Follow the match ▶️ <a href="https://t.co/NKa0znQQ3H">https://t.co/NKa0znQQ3H</a><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/ZIMvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZIMvIND</a> <a href="https://t.co/veS4gEKdom">pic.twitter.com/veS4gEKdom</a>&mdash; BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://x.com/BCCI/status/2080240913281176023?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>India elects to bowl first</h2>India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first in the opening T20I at the Harare Sports Club. The 31-year-old right-handed batter, who replaced Suryakumar Yadav as India's T20I captain in June 2026, will be looking to secure his first victory as skipper. Shreyas has captained India in seven T20Is but is still searching for his maiden win. Under his leadership, India lost both T20Is against Ireland in June 2026 before suffering four consecutive defeats against England earlier this month.&nbsp;India playing XI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav.&nbsp;Zimbabwe Playing XI: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (WK), Ben Curran, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani.

Rajasthan pacer Ashok Sharma made his India T20I debut against Zimbabwe in Harare after an impressive IPL 2026 season. Shreyas Iyer won the toss and chose to bowl first in the series opener

Rajasthan-born fast bowler Ashok Sharma made his India debut on Thursday (July 23) in the first T20I of the three-match series against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club. The 24-year-old pacer, who represents Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL), earned his maiden international cap after an impressive IPL 2026 campaign, where his express pace attracted widespread attention. Ashok was preferred over Yash Thakur in India's playing XI for the series opener. Before making his T20I debut, Ashok had featured in 16 T20 matches, picking up 28 wickets. In the IPL, he has played six matches for Gujarat Titans and claimed six wickets. Ashok became the 23rd player to make his T20I debut for India on Zimbabwean soil. During India's previous tour of Zimbabwe in July 2024, Abhishek Sharma, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Tushar Deshpande and Sai Sudharsan also received their maiden T20I caps. Also Read: Spain's World Cup stars Fabian Ruiz and Gavi rewarded with their weight in tomatoes. Here's why

24-year-old Ashok Sharma made his India T20I debut against Zimbabwe as Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first in Harare

IND vs ZIM, 1st T20I: Who is Ashok Sharma? 24-year-old pacer from Rajasthan makes India debut in Harare

In the 2026 Indian Premier League, Gujarat Titans pacer Ashok Sharma grabbed attention in their clash against Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium, as the 23-year-old bowled the fastest ball of the season, a 154.2 kmph yorker to Dhruv Jurel, highlighting his raw pace. Throughout his spell, Sharma consistently operated above 145 kmph and even breached the 150 kmph mark twice in a single over, surpassing Anrich Nortje’s earlier benchmark of 150.9 kmph. He finished his spell with figures of 1/37, with Shimron Hetmyer as his lone wicket.&nbsp;Despite it being only his second IPL appearance, Sharma has already made a strong impression. On debut, he had touched 149.7 kmph and earned praise from Gujarat captain Shubman Gill, who sees him as a key asset.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/-two-bad-innings-don-t-define-him-csk-coach-backs-struggling-sanju-samson-1775281700627">'Two bad innings don’t define him': CSK coach backs struggling Sanju Samson</a><h2>Who is Ashok Sharma?</h2>Ashok Sharma comes from the village of Rampura near Jaipur and his journey to cricket is linked to an emotional family story. He grew up in a modest farming family, where money was limited and his father, Nathulal, could only support one son’s cricket dreams. In a selfless decision, Ashok’s older brother, Akshay Sharma, gave up his own cricket ambitions to let Ashok follow his passion.&nbsp;&nbsp;Akshay stepped away from the sport and focused on farming and his studies, convincing their parents to fully back Ashok’s cricket career, according to media reports.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-updated-points-table-rr-claim-top-spot-after-thriller-vs-gt-dc-move-to-second-with-win-over-mi-1775358365035">IPL 2026 updated points table: RR claim top spot after thriller vs GT; DC move to second with win over MI</a>&nbsp;The journey for the 23-year-old was not easy and after struggling for opportunities at the Under-23 level, Sharma even considered quitting the sport. However, his breakthrough finally came in domestic cricket during the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he emerged as a standout performer, taking 22 wickets in 10 matches.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sharma made his IPL debut against Punjab Kings on Mar 31 and immediately lived up to expectations, clocking 149.7 kmph with his very first delivery. He soon picked up his maiden IPL wicket, dismissing Marco Jansen with a back-of-the-hand slower ball and finished the match with figures of 1/31.&nbsp;Although he previously spent time with Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals without breaking into the playing XI, Gujarat Titans’ decision to sign him for INR 90 lakh in the 2026 auction is already paying off. Now the quickest bowler in the league, Sharma’s rise is remarkable, especially for someone who once nearly gave up cricket entirely.

Gujarat Titans pacer Ashok Sharma bowls the fastest ball of IPL 2026 at 154.2 kmph vs RR, breaking Anrich Nortje’s record and showcasing his rapid rise and raw pace.

In the 2026 Indian Premier League, Gujarat Titans pacer Ashok Sharma grabbed attention in their clash against Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium, as the 23-year-old bowled the fastest ball of the season, a 154.2 kmph yorker to Dhruv Jurel, highlighting his raw pace. Throughout his spell, Sharma consistently operated above 145 kmph and even breached the 150 kmph mark twice in a single over, surpassing Anrich Nortje’s earlier benchmark of 150.9 kmph. He finished his spell with figures of 1/37, with Shimron Hetmyer as his lone wicket. Despite it being only his second IPL appearance, Sharma has already made a strong impression. On debut, he had touched 149.7 kmph and earned praise from Gujarat captain Shubman Gill, who sees him as a key asset. Also Read - 'Two bad innings don’t define him': CSK coach backs struggling Sanju Samson Who is Ashok Sharma? Ashok Sharma comes from the village of Rampura near Jaipur and his journey to cricket is linked to an emotional family story. He grew up in a modest farming family, where money was limited and his father, Nathulal, could only support one son’s cricket dreams. In a selfless decision, Ashok’s older brother, Akshay Sharma, gave up his own cricket ambitions to let Ashok follow his passion. Akshay stepped away from the sport and focused on farming and his studies, convincing their parents to fully back Ashok’s cricket career, according to media reports. Also Read - IPL 2026 updated points table: RR claim top spot after thriller vs GT; DC move to second with win over MI The journey for the 23-year-old was not easy and after struggling for opportunities at the Under-23 level, Sharma even considered quitting the sport. However, his breakthrough finally came in domestic cricket during the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he emerged as a standout performer, taking 22 wickets in 10 matches. Sharma made his IPL debut against Punjab Kings on Mar 31 and immediately lived up to expectations, clocking 149.7 kmph with his very first delivery. He soon picked up his maiden IPL wicket, dismissing Marco Jansen with a back-of-the-hand slower ball and finished the match with figures of 1/31. Although he previously spent time with Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals without breaking into the playing XI, Gujarat Titans’ decision to sign him for INR 90 lakh in the 2026 auction is already paying off. Now the quickest bowler in the league, Sharma’s rise is remarkable, especially for someone who once nearly gave up cricket entirely.

Gujarat Titans pacer Ashok Sharma bowls the fastest ball of IPL 2026 at 154.2 kmph vs RR, breaking Anrich Nortje’s record and showcasing his rapid rise and raw pace.

Who is Ashok Sharma? GT pacer who clocked 154.2 kmph vs RR in Ahmedabad

ashok-sharma

Ashok Sharma, News on Ashok Sharma, stories on Ashok Sharma, articles on Ashok Sharma, Ashok Sharma stories at Wion, Ashok Sharma news, Ashok Sharma latest news

ashok sharma

From Rinku Singh to Mayank Yadav, 5 players dropped from India’s squad for Afghanistan T20Is

IND vs ZIM, 1st T20I: Who is Ashok Sharma? Pacer from Rajasthan debuts for India

Who is Ashok Sharma? GT pacer who clocked 154.2 kmph vs RR in Ahmedabad