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Jitesh Sharma openly slams Indian team management for T20 World Cup snub

Soumyajit Dutta

Jitesh Sharma heartbroken after learning India snub [Source: @thenewsdrum/X]Jitesh Sharma heartbroken after learning India snub [Source: @thenewsdrum/X]

India wicketkeeper-batter and one of the key members of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Jitesh Sharma, has revealed that he was left heartbroken after learning that he was not included in India’s 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. 

Jitesh Sharma said he came to know about his omission a day after being part of the T20I squad in Ahmedabad during the South Africa series in December 2025.

Jitesh Sharma says he wasn't notified of his omission

Jitesh, who has played 16 T20Is for India, has scored 162 runs at an average of 18. While his strike rate of 151.40 was impressive, it was not enough to convince the Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee for a spot in the T20 World Cup squad.

Jitesh said he only found out about the decision after the squad was officially announced. He added that he understood and agreed with the explanation provided by the selectors during the press conference.

“I wasn’t aware of my omission until the squad was announced. After that, I agreed with the explanation given by the selectors in the press conference; it was a valid reason. Later, I had discussions with the coaches and selectors, and I felt their reasoning was fair. I completely understood what they wanted to explain to me, and I agreed with it,” Sharma said.

Jitesh makes peace with T20 World Cup 2026 snub 

Jitesh also revealed that he had discussions with the coaches and selectors and felt that leaving him out was the most practical decision the selection committee could take at that point.

However, he admitted that the omission was heartbreaking and that he initially struggled to come to terms with the setback. Jitesh thanked RCB batting coach Dinesh Karthik and his family for supporting him and helping him process the disappointment and move forward.

“It was heartbreaking, as I had worked very hard to play in the ICC T20 World Cup. But that’s destiny, I can’t deny it. At that moment, I was numb and couldn’t process anything. Spending time with my family and talking to Dinesh Karthik helped me move forward,” Jitesh added.

Jitesh's comeback in the T20I fold before the snub

Jitesh Sharma had made his return to the T20I setup in September 2025 as India began their World Cup preparations with the Asia Cup tournament in the UAE. The RCB wicketkeeper-batter went on to play seven consecutive matches, including India’s final T20I in Ahmedabad. 

Despite that run, he was left out of the World Cup squad as Ajit Agarkar and the selectors dropped Jitesh along with vice-captain Shubman Gill, opting instead for Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh.

In fairness, Jitesh Sharma’s recent form has been below par. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he averaged just 18.40, with only one significant innings of 73 runs across five matches, while the rest of his scores were in single digits. 

In the South Africa series as well, he managed only 37 runs from three matches. His only notable performance in recent times came during the Asia Cup Rising Stars, where he scored 125 runs across four innings.