IND vs AFG: "Rohit Sharma Gives All Of Us Confidence" - Jitesh Sharma
Published - 14 Jan 2024, 02:27 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:25 AM
Emerging wicketkeeper batter Jitesh Sharma expressed admiration for Indian skipper Rohit Sharma ahead of the second T20I against Afghanistan. Jitesh Sharma highlighted Rohit Sharma’s ability to make batting appear effortless and instill confidence in fellow players.
Jitesh Sharma was preferred over Sanju Samson in the playing XI for the first T20I of the three-match series. Sharma scored 31 runs off 20 deliveries in India’s six-wicket victory in Mohali on January 11. He played the finisher’s role impressively well in the series opener.
The Vidarbha batter showcased consistent prowess in domestic tournaments and made a significant impact for the Punjab Kings. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 543 runs in 24 innings for the Punjab Kings in the IPL, maintaining an outstanding strike rate of 159.24.
As A Human I Like Rohit Sharma – Jitesh Sharma
Jitesh Sharma noted that Rohit Sharma‘s batting is not only prolific in scoring runs but also aesthetically pleasing. Sharma emphasized Rohit’s impact extends beyond mere statistics.
“As a human I like Rohit Sharma – there are many players who make runs but when you see Rohit Sharma bat, it looks like batting is so easy – he gives all of us confidence and is so pleasing to the eyes,” Jitesh said.
Rohit Sharma returned to the Indian team’s T20I lineup after a 14-month break. The opener had not played T20I cricket since the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final against England. The BCCI recalled him to the squad with the T20 World Cup 2024 a few months away.
However, the 36-year-old batter’s comeback to T20I cricket had an unfortunate start as he was run out for a duck on the second ball of India’s innings. Meanwhile, former Indian skipper Virat Kohli opted to take a break from the series opener due to personal reasons.
Jitesh Sharma Is Also There But – Suresh Raina
While discussing Jitesh Sharma’s place in India’s T20 World Cup squad, former all-rounder Suresh Raina highlighted Rishabh Pant as the Rohit Sharma-led team’s preferred choice.
“I feel Sanju Samson can be a weapon as he can bat anywhere. Jitesh is also there but I feel Rohit Sharma’s first choice will be Rishabh Pant, depending on what he does in the two months (of the IPL), because he keeps well, and will be making a comeback,” Suresh Raina said.
“Ishan Kishan is another option. Jitesh Sharma is keeping exceptionally well and has done well in batting whenever he has got a chance. However, Sanju Samson brings impact. He plays big knocks. He thinks like a captain and captains the Rajasthan Royals as well. I have great confidence in him,” he added.
Rishabh Pant has been absent from competitive cricket due to multiple injuries sustained in a severe car accident on December 30, 2022. The Delhi wicketkeeper batter is expected to make his comeback during the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2024.
The ongoing T20I series against Afghanistan marks India’s final bilateral engagement before the T20 World Cup, scheduled for June in the USA and West Indies. Players, who are in the selectors’ plans, need to perform well in the IPL 2024 to secure their positions.
