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'If Virat Kohli Plays No.3, There Won't...' - Aakash Chopra On Jitesh Sharma's Future

image-lpp17d32Kishan has batted No.3 in Kohli's absence (Twitter)

Aakash Chopra believes the fifth and final T20I of the series against Australia on Sunday (December 3) and the forthcoming assignments versus South Africa and Afghanistan in the format are critical for Punjab Kings (PBKS) wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma. 

The former India Test opener made an interesting comment on Jitesh's long-term fortunes in the T20I set-up by insisting he must make his opportunities count and carve out a space at No.5-No.6 for himself. 

Notably, the attacking batter got his chance in the ongoing series in first-choice wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan's absence after the latter was rested for the penultimate match in Raipur. Kishan had batted brilliantly at No.3 in his designated role to attack the Aussie spinners. 


Chopra's Kohli Reference On Kishan-Jitesh Clash 

Chopra noted, however, that it's a slot where legend Virat Kohli plies his trade and will play one-down if he returns to don the T20I jersey. If that happens, Kishan would have to make way for Jitesh as the wicketkeeper-batter if the latter aces his opportunities and game time in the middle. 

"I think how big an opportunity it is for Jitesh. Ishan Kishan is a gun player. He scored half-centuries in the first two matches. However, the big news is that if Virat (Kohli) plays at No. 3, you won't be able to make a place for Ishan. So only a keeper who plays at No. 5 or No. 6 can play," Chopra said on his YouTube channel. 

It would be a tough choice to make for the selectors unless Kishan further moves down the order to No.5 after starting his career in T20Is as an opener. The earnest left-hander boasted of unsatisfying numbers leading into the Australian series but has smashed two half-centuries in his three outings since.

Jitesh, who is now Kishan's direct backup, played an encouraging knock of 35 off 19 deliveries in the fourth T20I in Raipur and is likely to be retained for the fifth and final match in Bangalore on Sunday (December 3).