IPL 2024 is Jitesh Sharma’s T20 World Cup opportunity: Aakash Chopra

Jitesh Sharma is one of the many wicketkeeper-batters who will eye the IPL 2024 for their T20 World Cup opportunity.

Chopra emphasised that Jitesh needs to amp up his game for his IPL franchise, Punjab Kings, during their 2024 season to have any shot of being considered alongside the likes of Dhruv Jurel and Sanju Samson.

“Jitesh Sharma – as we had talked about Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel, it’s true for Jitesh as well. You were kept in the Indian T20 team and you bat at the position where a keeper is going to play. You were played in the XI because you have that game, you play the finisher’s role,” Chopra said in his recent YouTube video.

Despite Punjab Kings’ 8th place finish, Jitesh Sharma had a decent IPL 2023, which saw him bag 209 runs in his 14 appearances. Playing some crucial knocks in the middle-order for PBKS, Chopra emphasised the importance of Jitesh building on the same form in the upcoming season of the tournament.

“So this is your opportunity, my friend. If you score runs here, you have just thrown your hat in the ring, that you have used him previously as well and he performed decently too, and now that he has played a very good IPL, he should be taken to the West Indies and America,” Chopra added.

Despite playing an impressive few innings during India’s T20I series against Australia in 2023, Jitesh Sharma has not been able to continue his brilliance in his recent national team appearances. Jitesh’s recent outings against South Africa and Afghanistan saw him manage only 36 runs in his four appearances throughout the two series. With not a single 50+ score in his 9 T20I matches, Jitesh finds himself down the pecking order after the likes of Dhurv Jurel and Sanju Samson.

Apart from Jurel, the return of Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul from injuries, only adds to the already long list of wicketkeeper/batter options for the India selectors and BCCI ahead of their highly anticipated T20 World Cup campaign. Jitesh finds himself in a must-perform scenario at the moment in the IPL, with his first challenge coming up in PBKS’ clash against Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2024 opener on March 24 in Mohali.