Former India opener Virender Sehwag has been so impressed by Punjab Kings’ Jitesh Sharma that he feels the right-hander should be taken to Australia as the second wicket-keeper for the T20 World Cup!
Jitesh Sharma played another enterprising innings for Punjab lower down the order today against Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede. He struck 38 runs off 18 balls to give PBKS a late flourish and even out shadowed Liam Livingstone; his knock comprised 4 fours and couple of huge sixes.
Virender Sehwag went on to say that out of all the wicket-keeper batsmen in the tournament, it is Jitesh Sharma who has excited him the most.
“Brilliant batting. He’s impressed me; out of all wicket-keeper batsmen, the likes of Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant, Wriddhiman Saha, Jitesh Sharma has impressed me the most. The style in which he plays – without any fear, that he expresses himself. He knows his areas on the field to target,” Virender Sehwag told Cricbuzz.
Jitesh Sharma first took on Prasidh Krishna, dragging the pacer from outside off stump and depositing down the ground for a couple of fours.
A six to Yuzvendra Chahal – to a tossed up outside off delivery, Jitesh sat down and tonked it over mid-wicket – was the one that had Sehwag stunned and reminded him of his former teammate VVS Laxman who had great wristwork. In the last over, Jitesh then hammered Kuldeep Sen to provide the momentum for Punjab Kings. Sehwag asserted that he’d want Jitesh Sharma on the flight to Australia.
“The six he hit to Yuzvendra Chahal that reminded me of VVS Laxman – how Laxman used to open his feet and hit Shane Warne over mid-wicket. He’s really impressed me. And, I will take him to Australia as the second wicket-keeper,” the former India opener added.
In 7 innings so far, Jitesh Sharma has scored 162 runs at an average of 32 and strike rate of 167; in the Punjab batting line-up only Livingstone has scored at a better strike rate than Jitesh – tells you the impact he’s had in the middle and death overs for PBKS.
