Jitesh Sharma, the emerging Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, made his debut on the international stage during this year's Asian Games held in Hangzhou, where India secured a gold medal in October.
Building on this success, Jitesh had the chance to display his cricketing prowess in the five-match T20I series against Australia held at home in December 2023. And then he was selected for the South Africa tour, where he could not make an impact with the bat but impressed many with his keeping.
Now, Jitesh opened up about the finisher’s role and how he balances the responsibilities of keeping wickets and contributing with the bat, especially in pressure situations.
Jitesh Sharma was quoted as saying by Times of India, “I think it's very easy when you try to be in the present. While keeping if you focus on keeping so it will be easy, and while batting you focus on batting. So being in the present always makes things easy for me. I think staying in the moment makes everything easy.”
Speaking about the finisher’s role, the youngster said: “I think everyone knows that batting at number five and six have a huge responsibility. Everyone knows that it comes with higher risk.”
He added, “And I understand my role. I understand the team's demands for winning, but I can just assess the situation and according to the situation I can play. I can give my 100% or try to maximize on every loose ball and try to win the game. That's always been my thought process.”
On being asked how he uses his insights from behind the stumps to his advantage, Jitesh said: “I think it's all about instinct. I have been playing so much cricket in the domestic, IPL and everything, so I think whatever your heart says, your instinct says, you should do it.”
He signed off by saying, “As a wicketkeeper, you should share insights with your bowlers because you are someone who's seeing the ball very closely behind the stumps. So I don't hesitate to give any advice to the captain or any bowler because I know my little bit of input can benefit my team. So that's the thing I go with my instinct. I feel whatever I see on the wicket, what's happening I tell the captain and bowlers.”
(With TOI Inputs)
