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"Sanju Bhai is out and I am playing": Jitesh Sharma opens up about his relationship with Samson
Ahead of India's first T20I against South Africa, there was huge attention on India’s wicketkeeping spot, contested between the two experienced players Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson. And now with the return of Shubman Gill at the top of the order, the management opted to slot in Jitesh behind the stumps for the first T20I in Cuttack. Undoubtedly, such decisions often fuel speculation; however, Jitesh Sharma responded decisively while opening up about the comradery with Sanju Samson.
"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 said at the press conference.
"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 said.
"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 added.
India lead the series 1-0 after sinking South Africa to a crushing 101-run defeat in the first game on Tuesday in Cuttack. Hardik Pandya led the charge with the bat, blasting a fiery 59-run knock off 28 balls to propel India to 175/6 in 20 overs. With the ball, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel took two wickets each to bowl South Africa out for 74 in 12.3 overs. The second T20I will be played on Thursday at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Punjab.
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