Jitesh Sharma is anticipated to be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper for the 2024 T20 World Cup by former cricketer Parthiv Patel. Notably, India played Jitesh ahead of Sanju Samson in the first T20I against Afghanistan and the keeper-batter repaid their faith with a quickfire 31 off 20 as India won the match by six wickets. But in the second game, the cricketer from Amravati could not get going as he was unable to open his tally.
According to Parthiv, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill are now stacked in the top order. In the middle order, the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya are in contention. Parthiv thinks Jitesh is a wonderful fit for the role of lower-order hitter that India would be looking for.
“Yes, they are undoubtedly doing that, and the quantity of openers or top-order hitters on the Indian side is the reason for that. Speaking to JioCinema, Parthiv stated that there is a bit of a traffic jam at the top due to the presence of Shubman Gill, who opened in the first match, Yashasvi Jaiswal, injured Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Rohit Sharma.
Therefore, having a wicketkeeper who can bat lower on the order is arguably India’s best choice. You need a disruptive hitter if you have to bat down the order. The 38-year-old stated, “Jitesh Sharma is a very good option the way he is playing, and I feel like his ticket to the World Cup has started getting printed slightly.”
Jitesh Sharma future is up for grabs in the next Indian Premier League season.
While Rishabh Pant’s comeback is a possibility, KL Rahul and Sanju Samson are in the waiting room. After becoming hurt in a car accident in December 2022, Pant hasn’t played for more than a year, but he’s anticipated to play for the Delhi Capitals in the 2024 Indian Premier League. This lucrative competition will be Sanju and Rahul’s final chance to make the team.