For Jitesh Sharma, the Bangladesh T20Is will either make or break his career. After eight months, the Punjab Kings wicketkeeper-batter will return to action for India, but it will not be the same as his final match for his country—against Afghanistan in January 2024. The Indian T20I lineup has seen significant changes since then. The team is now a World Champion and also has a new coach.
"It’s always a great feeling to wear the Indian jersey. Also, it’s good to be back in the mix. Looking forward to the series," Jitesh told News18 CricketNext.
Jitesh wants to reset career
After being given another shot, the 30-year-old is now hoping to press the reset button on his career. He was even earlier given a long rope when the team management was creating the most condensed version of the plan for the Rohit, post-Kohli era. However, Jitesh was unable to really grasp it. As the T20 World Cup drew nearer, he began to lose control due to the weight of his own expectations. His scores in the past six Twenty20 Internationals for India were 35, 24, 1, 4, 31, and 0.
He also failed in his attempt to make a strong case for the pick by using IPL 2024. Compared to his explosive season of 309 runs the previous year, Jitesh could only manage 187 runs, an average of 17, in 14 games for Punjab Kings. He made himself unthinkable in an attempt to be noticed. He does not regret the past, though, as he prepares to start over.
"Yes, I totally agree with that [dip in form]. Actually, the number which I bat at, I always look to finish the game and win it for my team. But this time, I wasn’t in great touch, to be honest. I was thinking too much about the World Cup, thus putting extra pressure on myself. But now, I don’t regret that, rather take it as a learning about how to tackle such situations. Jo bhi hota hai, ache ke liye hota hai," he said.
Being left off of the T20 World Cup squad forced him to face reality. He felt light-headed and found it easier to concentrate. He really got going towards the conclusion of the IPL 2024 when he played as the PBKS captain against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the team's final match of the season and added the final touches (32* off 15) to the team's 214/5 total.
"Aankhein tab khuli jab World Cup ki team announce hui (The World Cup squad announcement did open my eyes). Then there was no pressure on me. My mind started functioning properly. I could analyse my game which even reflected in the last two [IPL] innings I played. It was the first time when I was somewhere in the reckoning for the World Cup. I wasn’t habitual of it, so it’s fine," said Jitesh.
"A lesson that I learnt from a few months back is not to expect too much from anything. So, now I’m focusing more on improving my batting, my wicketkeeping and how should I grow as a cricketer. The process has to go on, no matter whether you are in or out of the team. One thing that applies to everyone is to be in good touch. If I could not do well in a series but go and make some 5-6 fifties in the IPL, then that could also make a difference. So, the current form matters in T20Is. Like, Sanju was in terrific form before the World Cup and he deserved to be there. Jo current touch main hai, wo team mein aana chahiye," Jitesh added.
