Punjab Kings’ wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma, who has been a part of India’s T20I squads, has expressed his preference for playing for Chennai Super Kings or Mumbai Indians if not retained by Punjab Kings in the upcoming IPL auction.
Jitesh, who has captained Punjab Kings in the absence of Shikhar Dhawan and Sam Curran, has been a key contributor to the team’s middle order with his aggressive batting. Despite not playing in the recent India-Bangladesh series, Jitesh remains hopeful of being retained by Punjab Kings.
However, if not retained, Jitesh has revealed his desire to play for either Chennai Super Kings or Mumbai Indians. Having played for Mumbai Indians in 2016-17, Jitesh holds a special fondness for the team and the Wankhede Stadium.
“I have experienced the MI atmosphere, and I love Wankhede because, as a Maharashtrian, it has always been close to my heart,” said Jitesh. “During my younger days, I watched matches at Wankhede and sat outside, feeling the vibe. I want to experience that feeling while playing inside the stadium for Mumbai Indians.”
Jitesh also expressed his admiration for Chennai Super Kings and their captain MS Dhoni. “I would like to play for Chennai Super Kings because of Mahi bhai and because Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK captain) is my good friend and I enjoy playing under him the same way I enjoy playing under Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) bhai,” he said.
Despite the pressure of performing in the IPL, Jitesh believes that it is important to perform well at all levels. “No, performing everywhere is important,” he said. “Riyan Parag made it into the ODI side because of his performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. You have to perform at every platform you get, and the rewards will follow.”
Jitesh rose to prominence during the IPL 2022 season when he was acquired by Punjab Kings for INR 20 lakh. Serving primarily as a finisher, Jitesh made a significant impact, scoring 234 runs with a strike rate of 163.64. He continued his strong performance in the 2023 season, accumulating 309 runs with a strike rate of 156.06.
Over his tenure with Punjab Kings, which spans 40 matches, Jitesh has maintained a batting strike rate of over 151.14, solidifying his reputation in the league. Despite his previous successes, his performance in IPL 2024 was below expectations. In that season, he managed to score only 187 runs across 14 innings, holding an average of 17.
