The Bangladesh T20Is are going to be a make-or-break deal for Jitesh Sharma. The Vidarbha wicketkeeper-batter will make an India comeback after 8 months but it won’t be the same as his last game for his national side – vs Afghanistan in January 2024. Since then, a lot has changed in the Indian T20I set-up. The team is a World Champion now, with a new coach.
“It’s always a great feeling to wear the Indian jersey. Also, it’s good to be back in the mix. Looking forward to the series,” Jitesh, who is currently training at the NCA, told exclusively to News18 CricketNext.
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Jitesh’s Honest Admission: The Acceptance of Failure
The 30-year-old is now aiming to hit the career-reset button after being given a second chance. Even earlier, he was given a long rope when the team management was preparing the roadmap for the post-Kohli, Rohit era in the shortest format. But Jitesh couldn’t latch onto it properly. He started losing his grip as the T20 World Cup approached as he succumbed to the pressure of his own expectations.
In his last 6 T20Is for India, his scores were 35, 24, 1, 4, 31 & 0. He tried utilising IPL 2024 to present a solid case for the selection, but didn’t succeed either. In contrast to a rollicking last season with 309 runs, Jitesh could only muster 187 runs in 14 games for Punjab Kings, averaging 17.
In a bid to stand out, he pushed himself out of the reckoning. But as he gears up to start afresh, he has no regrets of the past.
“Yes, I totally agree with that [dip in form]. Actually, the number which I bat at, I always look to finish the game and win it for my team. But this time, I wasn’t in great touch, to be honest. I was thinking too much about the World Cup, thus putting extra pressure on myself. But now, I don’t regret that, rather take it as a learning about how to tackle such situations. Jo bhi hota hai, ache ke liye hota hai,” he said.
Back to Reality
Missing out on the T20 World Cup squad brought him back to the reality. He felt light-headed and could focus better. He found his mojo towards the business end of the IPL 2024 when he stepped out as the PBKS skipper in the franchise’s last game of the season, against Sunrisers Hyderabad, and provided the finishing touches (32* off 15) to the team’s total of 214/5.
“Aankhein tab khuli jab World Cup ki team announce hui (The World Cup squad announcement did open my eyes). Then there was no pressure on me. My mind started functioning properly. I could analyse my game which even reflected in the last two [IPL] innings I played,” he said.
“It was the first time when I was somewhere in the reckoning for the World Cup. I wasn’t habitual of it, so it’s fine.”
With zero expectations, Jitesh just wants to keep moving ahead in the direction of becoming a better cricketer. He believes that the current form is the key in the shortest format, citing it as the major reason for Sanju Samson’s selection for the T20 World Cup.
“A lesson that I learnt from a few months back is not to expect too much from anything. So, now I’m focusing more on improving my batting, my wicketkeeping and how should I grow as a cricketer. The process has to go on, no matter whether you are in or out of the team.
“One thing that applies to everyone is to be in good touch. If I could not do well in a series but go and make some 5-6 fifties in the IPL, then that could also make a difference. So, the current form matters in T20Is. Like, Sanju was in terrific form before the World Cup and he deserved to be there. Jo current touch main hai, wo team mein aana chahiye,” Jitesh said.
Excited to catch up with Gambhir
VVS Laxman was the head coach when Jitesh made his T20I debut in Hangzhou, China last year in the Asian Games. Coming to the full-strength side, he trained under Rahul Dravid as well. It’s time to catch up with Gautam Gambhir and Jitesh is excited to work with the former India opener, whom he finds pretty ‘sorted’.
“I’m excited to meet him [Gautam Gambhir]. I had a few conversations with him before and he seemed a very sorted person and straightforward guy. Looking forward to learn a lot from him,” Jitesh said.
‘Soft Corner’ for 2 IPL Franchises
The BCCI has just released the 8-pointer IPL retention policy and Jitesh has no idea about Punjab Kings’ plan for him. On a lighter note, he told the website that he wishes to play all the franchises but if favourites are to be asked, he would name Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.
“Honestly, I would like to play for all teams but if my personal choices are to be asked, I have a soft corner in my heart for CSK and MI. Chennai Super Kings because I have played under Ruturaj’s captaincy in domestic cricket which has been very good fun. We are good friends as well,” Jitesh said.
“And why Mumbai? Because I was there for a couple of seasons (2016 & 2017) but could only see the team from the dugout. So, it’s an unfinished business with MI, representing them and living the Wankhede atmosphere,” he added.
‘Mujhe bas cricket khelna hai’
Since making his professional debut in 2014, Jitesh has played more T20s than the other two formats. His number would give an idea that the Vidarbha wicketkeeper-batter has been typecast as a T20 specialist but personally, it doesn’t matter that much to him.
Jitesh says he just wants to play the game, the colour of the ball doesn’t matter. After all, the common element between all three formats is scoring runs.
“Honestly saying, Mujhe bas cricket khelna hai, fir chahe red ball ho ya white (I just want to play cricket, no matter which colour the ball is).”
“I just want to play the game more often than not. As far as Ranji is concerned, I wasn’t available for the past few seasons. So, we have Akshay Wadkar in our [Vidarbha] team who is performing well. So, when I will be available, I will go and score runs. That’s what a batter needs to do. So, format koi bhi ho, bus run karna hai,” he added.
Performance is the key
The Indian T20I team is amidst a transition and Jitesh is very well aware of the fierce competition. But he remains unfazed and believes that performance is the key, even to his selection for the T20 World Cup 2026.
“Perform karta rahunga to koi cheez rok hi nahi sakti hai mujhe [Nothing could stop me from excelling if keep performing]. So, if I keep scoring runs and winning games for my teams, I don’t think playing a World Cup would be that tough,” he concluded.
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