Irfan Pathan, ex-India pacer, has backed the inclusion of Jitesh Sharma as the keeper-batter in India’s T20I XI in place of Sanju Samson. He cited Jitesh’s experience in the middle order and as a finisher, compared to Sanju’s success at the top of the batting order.

Samson was moved down the batting order following Shubman Gill's return to the top order. In contrast to Samson's meager returns, Jitesh, a finisher by trade, has demonstrated greater flexibility in the position.

"It's a fair call because you will face difficulty going forward if you are thinking about batting Sanju Samson down the order. Sanju Samson has batted up the order, in the top three, in his entire career. It's a very difficult job if you go down from there. He played a very good knock in the Asia Cup while batting in the middle overs," Pathan said on Star Sports.

The former cricketer emphasized the importance of consistency in team selection, stating, "However, if you have to choose one between the two as to who will be more competent and proceed with one plan, you are proceeding with Jitesh Sharma currently, and you will have to move forward with him only. If you keep chopping and changing, you will have difficulties going forward."

Jitesh Sharma had also talked about his relationship with Sanju Samson and expressed his gratitude and respect for his teammate.

"I am very grateful that he is in the team and I am under him. He is like an elder brother to me. Because of healthy competition, your talent comes out. It's good for the team. Sanju Bhai is out, and I am playing. He is a great player—one of the great players. If I have to compete with him and play shoulder to shoulder, I have to bring my A-game,” he added.

The second T20I of the series will be played in New Chandigarh on December 11.