IND vs SA 2025: ‘He is like an elder brother’ – Jitesh Sharma about his bond with Sanju Samson amid T20 World Cup wicketkeeper rivalry

Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson. (Photo source: Getty Images)

There is certainly no rift between the two wicketkeepers in India’s T20 setup – Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma. The former had been in exemplary form last year, smashing three centuries in five T20Is at a time when he was opening the batting. However, he lost his place at the top of the order after Shubman Gill returned to the side during the Asia Cup. Samson played a few games in the middle order, and after indifferent outings, he was replaced by Jitesh on the tour of Australia last month.

Both of them are auditioning for a spot in India’s squad for next year’s T20 World Cup. However, there is no animosity blended with competition, as Jitesh said after the first T20I against South Africa at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Tuesday, December 9, that Samson is like an elder brother to him and helps him in developing his game by sharing his cricketing experiences.

“I am very grateful that he is in the team. Frankly speaking, he is like an elder brother. With healthy competition, your talent comes out. It is good for the team also. There is so much talent. You can feel it. Sanju bhaiya is a great player. I have to compete with him, that is when I have to be at my best. We are both trying to play for India. We are like brothers. We share a lot of experience with each other. He helps me a lot,” Jitesh said after the first T20I.

Jitesh has earned his place in the playing XI because the team management feels he is better-suited to the finisher’s role than Samson, who is more of a top-order batter. The Baroda wicketkeeper has made a reputation for himself as a finisher after playing a significant role for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their title-winning campaign this year.

The 32-year-old shared his views on taking up the finisher’s role. He said that he enjoys the pressure that comes with the ‘thankless job’.

“It is a difficult job. It is a thankless job, basically, finishing games. But I enjoy the pressure. When I go in for the last six or five overs, I enjoy the pressure and excitement,” Jitesh asserted.

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