Jitesh Sharma, who is currently the second-highest run-scorer for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in IPL 2023, has been in remarkable form this season. Despite being selected for the team, Sharma has yet to make an appearance in a game.
The 29-year-old has amassed 239 runs in 10 matches at an impressive strike rate of 165.97 and an average of 26.56. Sharma played his best innings of the season in PBKS’ recent match against Mumbai Indians in Match 46. In the match, PBKS set a target of 215 runs, with Sharma smashing an unbeaten 49 off just 27 balls, including two sixes and five fours.
A glance at the numbers of Jitesh Sharma
In the same game, Liam Livingstone played an unbeaten knock of 82 runs off 42 balls. However, MI chased the target with ease, scoring 216/4 in 18.5 overs, with Ishan Kishan (75), Suryakumar Yadav (66), and Tilak Varma (26*) contributing significantly to their victory. Nathan Ellis claimed two wickets for Punjab Kings’ bowling attack.
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According to Sunil Joshi, the former India national selector and PBKS’ spin bowling coach, Jitesh Sharma’s selection in the Indian cricket team was based on his performance in local cricket and the IPL over the past 18 months.
Here is what Joshi had to say about Jitesh Sharma
“Jitesh has been wonderful. It shows his quality and is one of the reasons he was picked in the Indian team in place of Sanju Samson. In the last 18 months how he has performed in domestic and IPL and that is the reason he is ahead of some other wicketkeepers”, he said.
Joshi went on to explain why he is ideal for the T20 format, saying, “Let’s stick to the T20 format, he has done well consistently in this format in the last two years of IPL. That performance was recognised by the wise people who picked him for the Indian team.”
PBKS’ performance has been inconsistent in the IPL 2023, despite the excellent success of Jitesh Sharma, as they finished eighth in the points table with 10 points from 10 matches, winning five and losing five.
