Suryakumar Yadav is a combination of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan as a leader: Jitesh Sharma

Jitesh Sharma (Photo Source: BCCI)

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma, who led the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 in a solitary game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, recently opened up on playing under different captains in the national team setup.

Jitesh was acquired by PBKS for INR 20 lakhs in the IPL 2022 auction. Since then, he has become a key player of the side, having played 40 matches and scoring 730 runs at a strike rate of 151.14. His consistent performances, particularly in the 2022 and 2023 IPL seasons, guided his way into the Indian T20I squad.

Having played under the captaincy of Shikhar Dhawan, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rohit Sharma, Jitesh has learned a lot about leadership and tried to incorporate it when given the responsibility. The youngster has a simple belief in ‘suno sab ki, karo mann ki‘ (listen to everyone, but follow what your mind says)

“There’s so much to learn. All three have very different personalities but I think Surya bhai is a combination of Rohit bhai and Shikhar bhai. For eg., I fear a bit of Rohit bhai as a junior and I think that’s natural, especially when it comes to talking to seniors. Shikhar bhai, on the other hand, is very lively, relaxed, and chill,” he said.

However, it’s under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy that Jitesh finds the most suitable. The 30-year-old pointed out the ease of communication with Yadav which sets him apart.

“Surya bhai is bang in the middle of both of them. I have mostly enjoyed playing under Surya Bhai because communication is easier with him, you can talk to him very freely. Even if he says something to you, you listen to him,” Jitesh told India TV.

Also Read: ‘If I was a selector, I wouldn’t have picked myself’ – Jitesh Sharma reflects on T20 World Cup snub

Gautam Gambhir told me to play selfless cricket: Jitesh Sharma

With the recent change in India’s T20I coaching staff, Jitesh has understood the fresh perspective brought by head coach Gautam Gambhir. The Amrawati-born shared his first interaction with the former. He also revealed that Gambhir has asked him to continue playing the same brand of cricket and his main goal should be to make sure the Men in Blue win the game.

“In my first interaction with Gauti [Gambhir] bhai, he cleared it up that in this team we have to play selfless cricket. We have to play to win. He didn’t give me much clarity regarding my role but he told me ‘You have to play here the way you have been playing and your main priority should be how to make the team win, the personal goals will come to follow’,” Jitesh added.

Jitesh has so far featured in nine T20Is and has scored 100 runs at a strike rate of 147.05. He made his international debut in 2023 against Nepal in the Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition.

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