Exclusive | 'I Will Not Enjoy Cricket If...' - Jitesh Sharma Shares Batting Philosophy Ahead of Asian Games Challenge
Jitesh has been a prolific finisher for Punjab (Twitter)
Out of a few positives that have emerged from Punjab Kings in the last few Indian Premier League editions, the biggest has to be Jitesh Sharma.
Amidst the talks of intent in T20 cricket, Jitesh has nailed it on this aspect in his formative IPL seasons, smashing 234 and 309 runs respectively at a strike rate of 163.64 and 156.06 in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
For someone who aimed to join defence forces once and is now in the mix for Indian cricket, the 29-year-old Jitesh has come a long way and is coming across as a white-ball genius.
Though Jitesh got an India call-up for the recent Sri Lanka T20 series but had to make room for returning Sanju Samson in the Caribbean, he is all but sure to put the blue jersey on for the Asian Games 2023 and in the Ireland series after being named in the squad.
In an exclusive chat with OneCricket, Jitesh talked about his cricketing journey, his intentful batting approach, the risk and criticism that comes with it, India snub, the Asian Games challenge, and much more.
Excerpt from the conversation:
First things first, let me ask you how your cricketing journey started?
Like most of the cricketers, I started with playing gully cricket. A senior from my society saw me playing and suggested I try myself with the season ball. But after a bit, I stopped playing cricket and switched to football.
I came back to playing cricket as there were extra marks given in 10th and 12th class to those who represented their state team in cricket. Then, one thing led to another and here I am.
You used to bat at the top-order for Vidarbha earlier? How has the shift been now that you mostly get to bat in the middle-order?
It's not difficult if you keep things simple. Batting remains the same where you bat at top- or middle-order. You just have to change the method. The sooner you crack this method, the better it gets.
Mumbai Indians bought you in the IPL 2016 auction. How did that happen? Any events led to that?
I had scored good enough runs (343 runs in nine matches) in that season. I was the third-highest run-scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. So, they might have picked on the basis of this.
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Jitesh won IPL trophy with Mumbai Indians in 2017 (Instagram/
jiteshsharma_)
You moved to Punjab Kings in 2022 and made your IPL debut, playing for them. Tell us something about that.
Anil (Kumble) Sir played a great role in this. While I already had been doing well, he was the one to provide an opportunity to me. He saw me in Mumbai Indians and showed great faith in me to be selected for Punjab Kings and represent them.
Any changes you noticed on how these two teams operate?
Nothing as such. Everyone strives to win, no one wants to lose. It is how the teams work. They ensure that the players and the dressing room environment is kept in the right spirit and it ultimately creates difference on the ground.
Now that you have played your second IPL season which was even better than your first, do you believe in the second season syndrome? How do you look at it?
I do not think much about it. If the bowlers are coming better prepared against me, so do I. I know myself better than anybody else. I know the areas where I lack. The practice facilities have improved to a large extent. It also comes handy in terms of preparations.
You were called in the T20 team as a back-up of Sanju Samson. Because Sanju is back, you had to make way for him for the West Indies series. Are you disappointed because of not receiving a chance?
There is nothing to be disappointed about this. I find positive in the fact that at least I am in the scheme of things. And personally, I am doing everything in my capacity to improve my game and come back into the squad.
How big a role does team management play? How important is their thinking?
Everything is in the hands of the team management. Their perspective towards different things is very important. Obviously, they also want India to win. So, they also plan accordingly to make the process rewarding for the team.
In the position you bat, most often than not you have to attack from the word go. What preparations go behind in successfully doing this?
I create different scenarios in the nets. I try to simulate match situations and make myself ready for what I may encounter in a game. This also helped in making it easier for me to better utilise my skills in the match.
Intent is a double-edged sword. You know your style of play and if it does not pay off, the extent of criticism that will come your way will be massive. As a batter, how tough is it for you to handle criticism on the shot selection?
Forget about cricket, one will not be able to live life to fullest if they listen to what people think. I follow a similar ideology in cricket. I am my best judge. I try to do what makes me happy, what improves my game. I will not be able to enjoy cricket if I care about people's opinions.
Just because of the position you bat, even your useful contributions will not translate into huge scores. In a bad phase, did you think it somewhat creates the job more difficult for a middle-order batter.
Whoever understands cricket will know the true importance of it. Even though a cameo will not glitter in the score sheet but it is for that reason you see experts appreciating efforts like these. And I do not think it matters much in a bad phase.
How are you preparing for the Asian Games 2023?
I am following my normal routine. I have never been to China. So, I really do not know how the pitches and conditions will be there. I am just sticking to my basics to prepare for the big event.
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