Jitesh Sharma is one of the names, who has been rewarded with the Indian call-up for the upcoming Asian Games 2023, on the back of impressive performances in the domestic circuit in the shortest format and Indian Premier League (IPL).
The wicket-keeper-batter will be part of the Indian squad for the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023, to be held from September 19 to October 8 at the Zhejiang University of Technology Pingfeng Cricket Field. The men’s cricket competition will be played from September 28 to October 8 in the T20 format.
The Vidarbha and Punjab Kings wicket-keeper batter, in an interview with RevSportz, spoke about a range of things related to fast-paced T20 cricket, his high-risk game, playing as finisher, experience in the IPL, the Indian dressing room and much more.
Here are the excerpts:
How has life changed after becoming a household name?
Jitesh: Life hasn’t changed much, to be honest. The only advantage I get nowadays is that I don’t have to stand in long queues outside temples (laughs). I am bit spiritual, so I keep visiting temples. Neighbours also visit our house more frequently nowadays. But the best part is I get everything that I need for my training without much hassle. So that is the biggest difference I would say.
Do you remember taking the DRS against MS Dhoni in IPL 2022? Can you share your memories in relation to that dismissal?
Jitesh: I was extremely involved in the game. T20, anyway, moves so quickly that sometimes you don’t get to feel the emotions on the field. I had heard a noise and that’s why I pushed for the DRS. Only after I reached the hotel later in the night that I got to understand the gravity of the dismissal and realised that it was indeed a brave move. It was a huge confidence booster. In today’s cricket, even with the DRS, I feel it is important to back your instincts. It’s all about instincts and confidence.
Your power-game is known to all now but how important is the psychological factor in cricket?
Jitesh: Everything is mind game out there because after a point, the skill levels are more or less the same. If you are playing at IPL-level, then you are good enough in terms of your skill-set. T20 is so intense that the clearer you are with what you want to do out there, the higher the chances of you succeeding. If you don’t have a clear mind, then you won’t be able to execute your plans to perfection. ‘Mera funda simple hai, agar attack karna hai toh attack karna hai fir kuch sochna nahi hai’ (My mantra is simple, if I want to attack then I will attack without thinking twice). Thinking too much about your plans will simply ruin your executions is what I feel.
Do you feel you play a high-risk game?
Jitesh: I have taken those risks that’s why I am in the reckoning to wear that Indian jersey. Had I not taken risks or played like a regular batter, then people would not have talked about my game.
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And what about the general perception of not being consistent?
Jitesh: They are right with their perception. The thing is what is their requirement? Do they need consistent run-scorer or match-winners? I believe in winning matches. If I am consistently scoring half-centuries and helping my team win, then those half-centuries are worth it. If not, then who will value those runs? As long as I am helping my team win, I am happy – it doesn’t matter whether I score 50 or 20 – that’s my mindset.
There are not many high-risk players in India but plenty of those who play normal, low-risk cricket. For example, Rinku Singh is a high-risk player and that’s why he was able to hit those five sixes to win the match for KKR. Any other player, who thinks about his own runs would have looked to return unbeaten. I believe in high-risk game, based on the position and situation I am batting in. Had I been a normal cricketer with major focus on averages and runs, then I may have been a very regular name in my state team but maybe not in the IPL. I understand the consequences of not being consistent but I am happy with my decisions. I believe in high risk, high reward. My thought process is simple, my attack should have that consistency.
On social media, there are debates every other day around strike-rates. What’s your take on that?
Jitesh: Strike-rate depends on the situation you are playing, which position you are batting, how many runs your team needs, what are the pitch conditions. I feel if your top 6 batters have a strike-rate of 140-150, then you can chase 200-run target with ease. Chasing 200 has become normal in today’s cricket. Teams target 220, 230 to have that cushion. If you say strike-rate doesn’t matter in such situations, then your team will be in trouble. If you are playing a certain role for your team, for example an anchor, then strike-rate won’t matter because that’s the role your team has assigned you. At my position, strike-rate is mostly everything. You have to attack 9 out of 10 times in T20 cricket.
Have you experienced a different mindset, especially in T20 cricket, when talking to Indian and overseas players?
Jitesh: Indians grow up playing in very different culture and set-up than most of the overseas players. When you play in a country like India, you have to be consistent in whatever cricket you are playing so that you are able to knock that door every year. But when you speak to someone who comes from a country where the competition is not that tough, they will be extremely bold. They will play risky cricket. You will have very different opinions on how to play T20 cricket, but it’s on you, which part you pick up. You have to be very smart in making your choices out there. You have to know where and how you bring out your best cricket. At the end, everybody wants to win. Someone will have different pattern but it’s about how you play your best cricket.
What about your transition from being a middle-order-batter to opener and now playing as a finisher?
Jitesh: Playing as a finisher hasn’t been challenging at all. Basically, I started as a middle-order-bat and then I was made to open, and then against brought down to middle-order. Thanks to our coach Pritam Gandhe who made me bat as a finisher. He had a simple version, ‘if you are hitting 20-30 quick runs up front, those runs down the order will become game-changer.’ I am really grateful for that move. I am thankful to myself as well, as I was open to bat as a finisher. I am someone who thrives under pressure. I love situations, where I can see the target to help my team win.
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Tell us about your experience with the Mumbai Indians set-up?
Jitesh: The kind of players Mumbai Indians had, it was very crystal clear that I won’t get game-time. But I am thankful to MI for picking me in the first place, because that was a brilliant learning curve for me. It also put me on the map. It was an opportunity to learn in those two seasons. And I firmly feel that because I got to be with Mi that I was able to learn so much about T20 cricket and evolve my game. And because of those two seasons, I feel I was able to quickly turn things around when I got playing time later in the IPL for Punjab Kings. Sometimes, youngsters struggle to keep up with the pace of how things unfold when they come straight to IPL and those two years with Mi helped me in that regard.
After your time at MI, came the dip in the domestic circuit. How challenging was that?
Jitesh: The dip taught me a lot. I was doing well in T20s but not in Vijay Hazare Trophy or Ranji Trophy. Yes, it was frustrating but I got to know where I had to change things, be it my game, my attitude and many other things. Even the COVID-19 period taught me plenty. You learn the most when you are fighting your own battle.
Can you share your thoughts about your first call-up to the Indian set-up as an injury replacement to Sanju Samson?
Jitesh: It was an extremely happy, yet a surprising moment. I remember running my laps in one of the grounds, and that is when I got the call from Chetan Sharma saying, ‘you have been selected for the Indian team.’ I was really happy but to be honest, I didn’t get to enjoy the moment as I had to catch a flight to Pune in the evening. My parents and my brother Nitesh have been a huge pillar for me and it was a good moment for them.
How was your experience with the Indian team?
Jitesh: After joining the Indian camp, I felt that I am on the right path. The appreciation I got from the players and team management was immense. The way I bat regularly at nets, I did the same, and everyone around was satisfied in what they were seeing. They told me that we want someone who can break the momentum, play attacking cricket. It was a tremendous experience. A professional set-up, where you can go and speak to anyone. I was really comfortable from the first day.
How do you look at Hardik Pandya, the captain?
Jitesh: Hardik Pandya is a really confident captain. Jab apka leader hi confident hai toh apki sena toh khud hi confident ho jayegi (When your leader is confident, then the army will automatically gain confidence.) He is very clear in what he wants to do and that rubs off on the players.
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What about the tough competition for the wicketkeeping slot? You are up against some big names in Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. Also, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul, when they return to full fitness…
Jitesh: It’s my pleasure that my name is being taken along with them. I focus on my work, my game. As long as I am doing the right things, I will play.
What would be your thoughts and feelings if and when you receive your India cap?
Jitesh: The day I receive my India cap, I will think about where I started from and where I am now.