Jitesh Sharma (Twitter)
Jitesh Sharma, the Amravati-born wicketkeeper-batter, who has represented the Punjab Kings since 2022, recently announced his engagement to Shalaka Makeshwar on August 9 via his official Instagram account.
Shalaka, a Nagpur native with a background in engineering and a profession in the IT sector, was tagged in the heartwarming post. The image showcased the couple gazing into each other’s eyes, adorned with floral garlands, each holding a delightful bouquet of flowers.
Though the announcement was made on August 9, the caption indicated that the couple’s engagement had taken place the previous day.
Check the post below:
View this post on Instagram
The announcement has garnered significant attention, with numerous well-wishers including Jitesh Sharma’s friends and teammates extending their heartfelt congratulations. Among those offering their best wishes are prominent figures such as Arshdeep Singh, Suryakumar Yadav, Avesh Khan, and Washington Sundar, who have all publicly celebrated this joyous milestone.
While the exact date of their marriage remains unspecified, this engagement marks the commencement of a significant new chapter in his life. As he embarks on this personal milestone, it undoubtedly heralds a period of fresh beginnings and aspirations. With great anticipation, Sharma is poised to embrace this new phase with enthusiasm and optimism, hoping to translate this positive momentum into a flourishing continuation of his cricketing career.
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In terms of his cricketing trajectory, he last graced the field for PBKS in IPL 2024, amassing 187 runs across 12 innings. Remarkably, it was post the Cricket World Cup 2023 that he first made a significant impact, earning selection for the T20I series against Australia, South Africa, and Afghanistan. This period was marked by considerable speculation and debate, with discussions centered around his preference over established wicketkeepers such as Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson for the upcoming marquee event in the Americas.
Despite this initial acclaim, his form subsequently faltered, leading to a dramatic decline in his standing and ultimately resulting in Pant and Samson being shortlisted for the T20 World Cup 2024, while he was conspicuously absent from the considerations. He would be eager to reinvigorate his career, aspiring to secure a place in the Indian squad once more and hoping for retention by PBKS in the forthcoming mega auction ahead of the 18th edition of the IPL.