Suresh Raina confirms Jitesh Sharma might join India’s 2024 T20 World Cup squad. But, he implies if Rishabh Pant is healthy and ready, Rohit Sharma will likely pick him first.
Pant hasn’t participated in competitive cricket since a severe car crash in December 2022. Jitesh Sharma, however, came through with a quick 31 off 20 balls in India’s victorious first T20I against Afghanistan in Mohali, Thursday, January 11.
Suresh Raina was speaking on Colors Cineplex about Jitesh Sharma’s potential role in India’s T20 World Cup team. He expressed his thoughts:
“I feel Sanju Samson can be a weapon as he can bat anywhere. Jitesh is also there but I feel Rohit Sharma’s first choice will be Rishabh Pant, depending on what he does in the two months (of the IPL), because he keeps well, and will be making a comeback.”
Suresh Raina
Regarding the competition for the wicketkeeper-batter position, the former all-rounder for India believes Sanju Samson ought to be in front of Jitesh Sharma. Suresh Raina replied:
“Ishan Kishan is another option. Jitesh Sharma is keeping exceptionally well and has done well in batting whenever he has got a chance. However, Sanju Samson brings impact. He plays big knocks. He thinks like a captain and captains the Rajasthan Royals as well. I have great confidence in him.”
Suresh Raina
In case India wants a left-handed wicketkeeper-batter, Suresh Raina listed Pant and Ishan Kishan as the top two selections. Even though the Men in Blue aren’t expressly searching for a southpaw, the cricketer-turned-commentator emphasized that Pant will be his first selection even if Kishan and Samson are also X-factors.
“He will be in the top 2” – Pragyan Ojha on Jitesh Sharma
They also inquired Pragyan Ojha on his perspective on Jitesh Sharma’s inclusion in India’s T20 World Cup team. He responded:
“He will be in the top two. I feel like that considering the way he is being given opportunities. However, there is another name who has been specially requested not to bat at the top but in the middle order, and that is KL Rahul.”
Pragyan Ojha
The ex-spinner from India thinks KL Rahul may be in the running for the wicketkeeper-batter position. That’s if he does good in the IPL 2024 middle order. He explained:
“KL Rahul was asked to bat at No. 5 or No. 6 for his franchise in the IPL and to understand the importance of that place. So he will also be in the coach and captain’s minds, depending on how he performs, because he is also your ODI captain as of now and is keeping in Tests as well. So a lot of faith is being shown in him.”
Pragyan Ojha
Information indicates that KL Rahul may take a middle order position when batting for the Lucknow Super Giants in the next IPL season. It’s not yet known if he’ll also be keeping wickets, given that Quinton de Kock and Nicholas Pooran, two specialist wicket-keepers, are also in the franchise.
