- December 2, 2023
‘Was Keen to Perform’: Jitesh Sharma After a Crucial Knock to Help India Seal the T20I Series vs Australia – News18
Jitesh Sharma came in place of Tilak Varma and managed to shine in the fourth T20I vs Australia in Raipur. (Image: AP)
Jitesh Sharma managed to contribute a vital 35 off 19 deliveries to push India to a defendable total which they went on to do so and seal the series against Australia.
All eyes were on the batting pair of Jitesh Sharma and Rinku Singh who managed to take things forward for India as they managed to post a defendable score with a crucial partnership in the end to drag India ahead in the first innings.
Jitesh who has not gone up against a significant opposition spoke on JioCinema regarding the opportunity, he said,” Very excited and was eager to get the opportunity. Playing for India and representing the country there is extra pressure and excitement is there. I was keen to perform here.”
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The pair of Jitesh Sharma and Rinku Singh managed to stitch a crucial 56-run stand to help India push ahead and set a total of 174 on the board. The pair managed to take the fight against the Australian bowlers with a well-fought partnership. Jitesh revealed what went down with the two as they went up against the Aussie attack,” Did not talk too much with Rinku. VVS sir had told me to back your game, however, you have been playing, so do the same irrespective of the situation. When talking to Rinku I chose to attack the off-spinner and Rinku would take on the leg-spinner or the left-arm spinner.”
Jitesh also cited the importance of his preparation ahead of the game and to replicate match scenarios which enabled him to contribute in the match against Australia in a high-pressure situation.
Jitesh dived deeper into his preparations ahead of the fourth T20I,” The kind of practice When I practice I look to maintain the intensity. I don’t look to use warm-up deliveries. I plan on facing 20 deliveries straight up and go accordingly. Then I focus on the drills,” Jitesh shared.
Jitesh Sharma had missed out on the first three T20Is where Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma were picked ahead of the batter. Jitesh also revealed what he had been doing during his time on the bench. The batter revealed,” What he did when sitting out. I was not thinking much but I was looking to analyse the bowlers repeatedly, when you are out you can see what the bowlers are planning, against the new batters and I saw it as an opportunity. Even if I am about I am not I do not have a problem with that but I am prepared to step in if needed.”
Thanks to the contributions of Jitesh Sharma and Rinku Singh in the end, India was able to seal the series 3-1 with the final game coming up in Bengaluru where the younger Indian players will look to make their marks with the T20 World Cup coming up soon in 2024.
