The wicketkeeper-batter’s spot is an important area India need to be spot-on about by the time the T20 World Cup gets underway this June. Well aware of the situation, Jitesh Sharma, one of the keeper-batters selected for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, beginning in Mohali on Thursday, is focused on keeping his head down and performing whenever the opportunity beckons.
With KL Rahul being the first-choice in Tests and 50-over cricket and no news yet on Ishan Kishan, who had taken time off for personal reasons midway through the recent South Africa tour, Jitesh, along with Sanju Samson — the other keeper-batter for the Afghanistan T20Is — have a good opportunity of making meaningful contributions and impressing upon the national selectors.
Besides, there’s no surety either if Rishabh Pant could be considered for selection for this year’s T20 Cup in the Caribbean and the US.
For Jitesh though, utilising whatever chances come his way is more important than thinking about the T20 showpiece. “At the moment, I think it would be stupid to think about the World Cup.
“There’s still some time left for it and as far as I’m concerned, my focus is on grabbing the opportunities with both hands and making the most of them, adjusting to the situation and accordingly playing the role allotted to me,” Jitesh, with seven T20I appearances so far, told The Telegraph before joining the rest of the India squad.
“I need to do my job and leave selection-related matters to the selectors.”
Looking at the current scenario and how he’s placed compared to the other keeper-batters, the Vidarbha and Punjab Kings cricketer said: “Each keeper-batter has a particular pattern of playing. I, too, have mine, so I need to stick to that.
“As I said, it’s all about how you react to the different situations and deliver, backing your strengths and abilities.”
After a successful stint for Punjab Kings in last year’s IPL, Jitesh earned an India call-up and also ensured to produce two important knocks (35 off 19 balls and 24 off 16 balls) at No.6 in the home T20Is against Australia last month, which certainly made an impression on the Indian team management.
“I needed that international experience and just want to keep on contributing to the team. That’s all,” the 30-year-old stated.
