“I had discussions with Rahul Dravid sir”- Jitesh Sharma on selection in Indian team for Asian Games

Jitesh Sharma had amassed 309 runs for Punjab Kings in IPL 2023 at a strike rate of 156.06.

Vidarbha wicket-keeper batter Jitesh Sharma revealed that he has had discussions with Indian cricket team coach Rahul Dravid, after he was named in the Indian squad for the Asian Games scheduled to take place in Hangzhou from September 23. India will be sending their cricket teams for the first time in Asian Games which will be played in China this time.

Ruturaj Gaikwad will captain the side which includes other IPL performers like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Mukesh Kumar, and Prabhsimran Singh.  

The 29-year-old has been rewarded for his exceptional performances in the IPL 2023 where he turns out for Punjab Kings. This was the second time Jitesh has been called into the Indian squad, as his maiden call-up came as a replacement for Sanju Samson in the T20I series against Sri Lanka earlier this year.

‘Jaise batting kar rahein ho, vaise hi karte raho’- Jitesh Sharma reveals Rahul Dravid’s advice to him

Jitesh Sharma in conversation with News18, revealed that he has talked with Rahul Dravid during his time in the Indian team and received sage advice from the former India captain. Dravid also revealed that Team India are on a hunt for players like him to play an important role coming in at number five or six slot.

“Yes, I had discussions with Rahul sir, when I was selected during the home season a few months back. He said ‘Jaise batting kar rahein ho, waise hi karte raho. Aur yehi dekh rahe hain hum future ke liye. Humein aise players hi chahiye is position ke liye.’ (The way you are batting, continue in the same vein. We are specifically looking for players like these for certain batting positions (Nos 5 and 6)," Jitesh was quoted as saying by News18.

Jitesh played the role of the finisher for Punjab Kings in IPL 2023, amassing 309 runs in 14 innings at an average of 23.76 and a strike rate of 156.06 with one half-century to his name. In his career so far, in 90 T20s, he has scored 2096 runs at an average of 29.11 with one hundred and nine fifties to his name, respectively.