In Bairstow’s absence, Punjab Kings can be left with two alternatives for a expert wicket-keeper – Prabhsimran Singh and Jitesh Sharma,
The 29-year-old Jitesh performed 12 fits closing season and scored 234 runs at a mean of 29.25, together with 12 maximums.
In the 2022–23 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Jitesh featured in 10 video games for Vidarbha and scored 224 runs at a mean of 56.00. He additionally scored an unbeaten half-century within the event.
The Vidarbha wicketkeeper is assured that the Shikhar Dhawan-led Punjab Kings will cruise to their maiden name win this season. Punjab Kings’ best possible IPL display up to now used to be in 2014 after they entered the overall, at the again of eleven wins in 14 fits beneath George Bailey’s captaincy, however misplaced the name conflict to Kolkata Knight Riders.
Jitesh, who used to be decided on as a back-up after Sanju Samson’s damage in India’s squad for the T20I sequence vs Sri Lanka, spoke to TimesofIndia.com in an unique interview about Punjab Kings’ name possibilities, assembly MS Dhoni, sharing the dressing room with Hardik Pandya and trainer Rahul Dravid, a marvel dinner name from Anil Kumble and a lot more…
How would you fee Punjab’s name possibilities this time? And your tackle captain Shikhar Dhawan,
Shikhar Dhawan is a brilliant chief, and he leads from the entrance. He has performed a large number of cricket and has huge revel in. He is a daring and fearless cricketer. He goes to guide the Punjab Kings in the similar manner this season. The event is set to start and we’re 100% assured of profitable the name. When the event begins, we will be able to get to understand concerning the mixtures. We are able, we’re assured, the arrangements are accomplished, and all of us wish to pass out to the center and specific ourselves. We have the conclusion that we will be able to pass and win the name this yr.
What used to be the preliminary staff assembly this yr like? Were there any explicit interactions that stood out?
Punjab Kings are like a circle of relatives. Last season, we did not qualify (for knockouts) however nonetheless the seniors, toughen team of workers, coaches and control had been so sure they usually endured to strengthen our self belief. They requested us to appear ahead and search for excellent issues to return. The best possible phase about this staff and franchise is that it is filled with sure power. When I joined the camp, I met the coaches and avid gamers. They all had been assured that we’d qualify this yr. That used to be a motivational get started forward of the event. This more or less surroundings pushes me tougher and motivates me. When I met Shikhar bhai for the primary time, he mentioned ‘tu bindaas rehna, tu mast hoke khelna, mai tere saath khada hun. Bass tu jaake assured hoke khelna. Bass sure rehna (Be comfy, play hopefully, I’m there for you. Be sure).
Star wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow may not be a part of the staff this season. Did you’re taking any pointers from him previous?
Last yr Jonny and I labored so much on my conserving. I were given the chance to spend a large number of time with him. He gave me a large number of pointers. The tips about conserving, psychological side of the sport, how you can bear in mind all the way through a sport, the motion whilst conserving all the way through a fit, what the fundamental laws of wicket-keeping are. I realized so much from him closing season. It is in reality unlucky that he’s now not within the staff this yr. He is somebody who could make a distinction within the staff as a batsman, keeper, and as an individual as smartly. He has an abundance of revel in. He can see and visualize the sport in some way maximum cricketers can not. We are going to omit Bairstow.
As a wicketkeeper-batsman who evokes you probably the most and why?
I’ve admired Adam Gilchrist since my youth. He is my inspiration. The manner he used to play, the way in which he used to stay, the way in which he confirmed his power at the box, and the way in which he used to raise his staff used to be simply super to look at. I by no means noticed any boring moments when he used to be at the box. I love Mahi bhai as smartly. It used to be a dream come true once I met him closing season. I spoke to him referring to my batting and my wicketkeeping. And the way in which he responded my questions, all my confusion went away in seconds. He used to be so transparent about the entirety. I met him in my debut sport which used to be in opposition to Chennai Super Kings. He instructed me to do no matter I do know however I will have to be explicit, paintings on my high quality and stay the entirety easy.
Shikhar Dhawan. (Punjab Kings Photo)
After Umesh Yadav and Faiz Fazal, you changed into the 3rd Vidarbha participant to get an India call-up. What used to be the revel in of being within the Indian dressing room like? What pointers did you get out of your favourite avid gamers?
I imagine myself fortunate that I were given a call-up for India. Rahul (Dravid) sir used to be there. Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav had been there. It used to be an enormous alternative for me to be told from everybody. I spoke to them and took pointers from them. They noticed my batting and gave me comments on my batting. They instructed me – ‘focal point on excellent high quality batting’. They mentioned I will be able to give my staff a excellent get started.
After spending two years at MI, you were given a debut IPL cap from Punjab Kings. Tell us about that second?
I’m in reality thankful to Punjab Kings, ex-coach Anil Kumble sir, and all of the toughen team of workers for giving me the chance. They noticed my sport and picked me for the Punjab Kings staff. I were given to find out about my debut an afternoon earlier than the fit. That night time, Anil (Kumble) sir texted and requested me to return for dinner. He mentioned, Jitesh, the next day to come goes to be your day, you are going to be making your debut. He mentioned your wait goes to finish. He mentioned simply pass out within the heart and specific your self and do what you’ve gotten been doing and experience your sport. I used to be so satisfied. I used to be now not worried. The subsequent day, I were given my debut cap from Shikhar Dhawan. He can be my captain this season.
You first of all sought after to turn into a footballer. Talk to us about that…
I used to play soccer in class. My final dream used to be to enroll in the protection forces. I had by no means performed cricket. My grandfather used to be in Subhash Chandra Bose’s Army. My dad used to inform me his tales. I used to be so influenced by way of my grandfather’s achievements. My father at all times sought after one in every of his two sons to enroll in the protection forces. I used to be very prepared to do this and I extensively utilized to play soccer in class. In college, I needed to transfer to cricket on account of the additional marks. In Maharashtra, if you happen to play for the state, you get 4 % marks. That’s why I began taking part in cricket and I’m right here now.