NAGPUR: Vidarbha wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma has caught everyone's eye in the last couple of years with his ability to finish the games. His remarkable quality of sending the balls deep into the stands has established him as a go-to batter. As the Amravati-born player made constant headlines in the IPL, his remarkable glovework, that also played an important role in winning matches, did not get the limelight it deserved.
Despite having England's Jonny Bairstow in the playing XI, the Punjab Kings management had Jitesh behind the wickets in all the high-pressure IPL games. The faith IPL franchise showed in him was a testimony to his reliable wicketkeeping skills.
The 29-year-old Jitesh was first spotted in 2010 by Sulakshan Kulkarni, one of the renowned former wicketkeepers of the country, during a specialist wicketkeepers' camp at the VCA Residential Academy. And Kulkarni still rates him high.
"Way back in 2010, Jitesh had all the requisites of a natural wicketkeeper. Now, he is 12 years more mature and has shown incredible improvement. He has the grace, astonishing anticipation, swift feet movement, and soft hands that separate him from others. He is the most technically sound wicketkeeper in the country at this moment," said Kulkarni while talking to TOI.
Earlier, the likes of Anil Kumble and Virender Sehwag have batted for the stumper after the successful IPL.
Jitesh has been included in the Vidarbha side for the Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat starting on Tuesday at Jamtha stadium. "I hope he has a good match which may put him in contention for the forthcoming Australia Test series," said Kulkarni.
Jitesh has been consistent behind the stumps since he made his Lits-A debut in 2014. There has been hardly any occasion when he has had an off day behind the stumps.
Vidarbha outfit has quality spin attack including the likes of Akshay Wakhare, Aditya Sarwate and Akshay Karnewar. Keeping wickets to these spinners is not an easy task but Jitesh has always come out with flying colours and earned their faith.
"On Indian turning tracks, Jitesh's keeping style against spinners is safe and sound. He has proved it by keeping wickets to some of India's premier spinners," said Kulkarni, who has a national wicketkeeping record to his name for having 36 dismissals in 8 Ranji matches in 1996-97.
The Vidarbha stumper also earned the confidence of Punjab Kings in his IPL debut when he took an amazing airborne catch off pacer Odean Smith to send Ambati Rayudu packing.
In each round of the Ranji Trophy, there are 38 wicketkeepers in action across India. Kulkarni feels the Punjab Kings stumper is right at the top owing to his technique.
"Jitesh is a complete package as a wicketkeeper. He gives confidence to the team with the safe hands he possesses. If you look at the way he collects off seamers and gathers the ball off spinners, you will automatically know he is made for this role," said Kulkarni.
On the back of an excellent performance in Syed Mushtaq Ali in two straight seasons and the last IPL, Jitesh was included in Team India as a replacement of Sanju Samson against Sri Lanka earlier this month.
Now, he is included in the T20 squad for the forthcoming New Zealand series.
Kulkarni feels players like Ajinkya Rahane and Suryakumar Yadav made their presence felt in the white ball cricket first and then were considered for Tests.
"I feel Jitesh should not be restricted to the white-ball tournaments. He bats at such an order where there is constant pressure. He has been proving himself time and again. He can do the same in multi-day format and win matches. He should be given ample opportunities," said Kulkarni.
