WTC Final: KS Bharat is not able to fill the gap of Rishabh Pant; Now this wicketkeeper roared, said- ready to play at number 11 too

After the injury of star cricketer Rishabh Pant, Team India is missing a wicketkeeper. KS Bharat could not perform anything special in the World Test Championship Final (WTC Final) and before that in the Border Gavaskar Test Series as well. His place in the team is in doubt. Meanwhile, wicket-keeper batsman Jitesh Sharma, who has impressed with his performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and domestic cricket, has raised eyebrows. He has said that he is ready to bat at number 11 in Team India as well.

Jitesh has scored 543 runs in 26 matches for Punjab Kings in IPL 2022 and 2023 at an average of 25.86 and a strike rate of 159.24. His individual best score is 49 not out for Punjab. Jitesh was included in Team India for the first time after Sanju Samson was injured during the T20 series against Sri Lanka earlier this year. However, he did not get to play any matches.

In an interview to ESPNcricinfo, Jitesh said, “I have played with or against almost everyone in domestic cricket, be it Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav bhai or anyone else, but when I look at the time spent in that dressing room , then I realize that there was a lot of professionalism and faith in me. I was there for the first time, but they already knew what kind of player I am and what role I play.”

What did Jitesh say on the atmosphere in the dressing room?

Jitesh further said, “There was maturity and it seemed that they believed that there is no need to react too much to the players. During those two series [against Sri Lanka and New Zealand], I had a lot of space and a much healthier environment. The captain and coaches also spoke openly and told me where I can improve.