The wicket-keeper batter added valuable late runs in a quick cameo before claiming four catches behind the stumps during South Africa’s innings, narrowly missing out on joining MS Dhoni as the only Indian men’s wicketkeeper to take five catches in a T20I match.
Dhoni was renowned for his finishing abilities with the bat, and Jitesh has already shown flashes of similar potential through his impactful knocks in the IPL for Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, as well as in the early stages of his international career.
The 32-year-old played a crucial role in India’s successful run chase against Australia in Hobart last month and now appears poised to continue in this role heading into next year’s T20 World Cup, which India will co-host with Sri Lanka from February 7.
India once again preferred Jitesh over Sanju for the opening T20I of the five-match series against South Africa, a game the hosts won convincingly by 101 runs at Barabati Stadium on Tuesday.
‘He (Sanju) is a great player. If you have to compete against him and play shoulder to shoulder, then I have to bring my A-game. I think we both are trying to play for India, not for other teams,’ the 32-year-old said at the post-match interaction.
But Jitesh played down the individual competition, choosing instead to emphasise camaraderie and shared ambition.
‘I am very grateful that he is in the team and I’m under him… Frankly speaking, he is like an elder brother to me. I think because of healthy competition, your talent comes out. I think it’s good for the team also.
‘There is so much talent in this Indian team. You can feel it that Sanju is out and I’m playing.
‘We are like brothers. We share lots of experience with each other. He helps me a lot whenever I do keeping or batting.’
India vs South Africa 1st T20I, Jitesh contributed an unbeaten 10 off five balls in an unbroken 38-run partnership with Hardik Pandya as India plundered 71 runs in the final six overs to finish on 175/6.