“Like my…”- Jitesh Sharma opens up on his competition with Sanju Samson before IND vs SA 2nd T20I

Many predicted that Sanju Samson would have been opening the batting during the first of the five-match T20I series against South Africa at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. But the team management decided to go with Jitesh Sharma in the middle order and picked Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill in the opening slot, which meant Samson wasn’t part of the eleven.

Despite the toxicity between the two players on the social media discussions, Jitesh described his relationship with Sanju Samson as that of an elder brother, noting that the Kerala player shares his experience generously, which has helped him to grow as a player over the years.

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“I am very grateful that he is on the team. Frankly speaking, he is like an elder brother.  Because of having healthy competition, your talent comes out. It’s good for the team, also. There is so much talent. You can feel it. Sanju bhaiya is a great player. I have to compete with him, that’s when I have to be at my best.” Jitesh Sharma said in the post-match press conference after the Cuttack T20I.

Jitesh Sharma admits to healthy competition with Sanju Samson ahead of IND vs SA 2nd T20I

Jitesh has smashed only 135 runs in 10 innings of T20I cricket at a strike rate of 150 with the best score of 35 for India, while in T20s, he has notched up 3136 runs in 140 innings at an average of 27.75 and a strike rate of 153.95, thanks to 12 fifties and one century at the best score of 106.

“We are both trying to play for India. We are like brothers. We share a lot of experience with each other. He helps me a lot. It’s a difficult job. It’s a thankless job, basically, finishing games. But I enjoy the pressure. When I go for the first six or five overs, I enjoy the pressure and excitement.” Jitesh addressed.

Jitesh may again now retain his place in the playing eleven for the second T20I in Mullanpur, while the eyes will be on struggling Shubman Gill, whom Samson may replace at some point in the series.