Young wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma revealed an interesting conversation that he had alongside India head coach Rahul Dravid when he was called up for the first to the Indian team during the Sri Lanka series early this year. The 29-year-old is one of the most impressive uncapped players in the country, who is likely to don the gloves in the Asian Games 2023.
The Asian Games is set to begin on September 23 and will go on till October 8. Star Indian cricketer will be busy with ICC World Cup 2023 preparation, to take part in the home conditions and Ruturaj Gaikwad would be leading the young Indian team in the continental event in China which compromises of likes of Rinku Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Jitesh Sharma, and Shivam Dube in the team.
Speaking to the ABP News, Jitesh Sharma divulged his first interaction with Rahul Dravid, where the Indian head coach questioned him about his call-up to the team and said that Dravid wanted to him continue doing the same thing for the Indian team playing impactful knocks for the team
“What do you think Jitesh, why are you here?”
“I said my strength is my strike rate, I have the ability to score quick runs, and that is why I am here. Rahul sir then told me that yes, you have to do the same thing and you can really think differently since you are about to play for India. Keep on playing your natural cricket and eventually, you will get to learn a lot of things,” Jitesh Sharma said.
With Rishabh Pant missing a few months of crickets due to a tragic car accident, India has invested in Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson for the wicket-keeper’s role, but Jitesh Sharma has provided a strong case with performance for the Punjab Kings, especially in the T20 cricket for India.
Jitesh Sharma has impressed everyone with his hard-hitting batting and finishing abilities and has also been impressed with his work behind the stumps for Punjab Kings and Vidarbha. The 29-year-old was part of the India T20 squad in the previous two series but could not make his debut for the Men in Blue.
The Indian wicketkeeper-batter has been excellent in the IPL 2023, playing at different positions for the Punjab Kings in the cash-rich, providing impetus in the middle overs for the Shikhar Dhawan-led side, and can be an important player for India going forward.