‘We both are trying to play for India’: Jitesh Sharma on ‘healthy competition’ with Sanju Samson | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: India’s wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma opened up about his bond with Sanju Samson after being picked as the first-choice wicketkeeper for the opening T20I against South Africa in Cuttack. Despite the competition for the role, Jitesh described their relationship as warm, respectful, and focused on mutual improvement.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking about Samson’s influence, Jitesh said, “I am very grateful that he is in the team and I am under him. Frankly speaking, he is like an elder brother to me and I think because of healthy competition, your talent comes out. I think it’s good for the team also.”
Jitesh noted the immense depth of talent in Indian cricket and stressed that he and Samson share a common purpose. “There is so much talent in the Indian team. You can feel it. Sanju Bhai is out and I am playing. He is a great player. One of the great players. If I have to compete with him, I have to play shoulder to shoulder, then I have to bring my A game,” he added.He further explained that their bond extends beyond professional rivalry. “I think we both are trying to play for India, not for other teams. We are like brothers. We share lots of experience with each other. He helps me a lot whenever I do keeping or batting. That’s the thing,” he noted.Jitesh has featured regularly in India’s T20 setup since the third T20I against Australia during the tour Down Under.In the match, India posted 175/6 after being asked to bat first, with contributions from Hardik Pandya (59* off 28 balls, including five fours and four sixes), Tilak Varma (26 off 32 balls, with two fours and a six) and Axar Patel (23 off 21 balls, with a six).For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi (3/31) was the standout bowler, while Lutho Sipamla (2/38) also impressed.In response, South Africa never looked in control, with only Dewald Brevis (22 off 14 balls, featuring three fours and a six) offering brief resistance. They were bowled out for 74 in 12.3 overs. Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel claimed two wickets each, while Hardik and Shivam Dube picked up one apiece.Hardik was named ‘Player of the Match’ as India took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
