Asian Games 2022: With words of wisdom from Dravid, Jitesh Sharma ready for Asiad challenge

“Keep believing in yourself and stick to your process,” head coach Rahul Dravid had advised Jitesh Sharma when he briefly entered the Indian dressing room earlier this 12 months after an damage to Sanju Samson.

While the ‘Orange Cap’ and accolades are usually reserved for top-order batters, the 29-year-old Vidarbha batter-keeper’s ending capacity is like gold mud that the present Indian T20 set-up is desperately searching for.

“There are always discussions on how one can improve. Yes, I had discussions with Rahul sir, when I was selected during the home season a few months back,” Jitesh advised PTI throughout an interplay after he was named within the Indian crew for the Asian Games in Hangzhou, beginning September 23.

The cricket occasion begins on September 28.

So what precisely did Dravid inform him?

“Jaise batting kar rahein ho, waise hi karte raho. Aur yehi dekh rahe hain hum future ke liye. Humein aise players hi chahiye is position ke liye. (The way you are batting, continue in the same vein. We are specifically looking for players like these for certain batting positions (No. 5 and 6),” the nationwide coach’s recommendation throughout his temporary interplay is imprinted in his thoughts.

A finisher’s job in T20 cricket requires scientific precision together with ice-cool temperament, one thing which Jitesh possesses in abundance having been there and executed that in two seasons with Punjab Kings within the Indian Premier League.

Jitesh has made heads flip together with his explosive batting in finish overs and is predicted to hold his good kind within the Asian Games.

“Not surprised,” Dravid mentioned when requested about his choice. “Somehow as a player, you have that inkling that you are there in the mix and I think it was a well-deserved call-up.”

Jitesh has a unbelievable strike price of practically 150 over 90 T20 video games, together with 26 IPL matches.

So how did he develop his energy recreation which has helped him as a finisher?

“Good habits stay with you and power hitting is a habit that I have inculcated. I try to focus on imbibing good training habits. What you do repeatedly in nets, you will be able to execute that in a high-pressure match situation,” mentioned Jitesh, who has 77 boundaries (44 fours and 33 sixes) in 24 IPL innings up to now, having batted largely deep into the back-10.

In the function of a finisher, simulation is essential and Jitesh enjoys placing stress on himself even throughout web periods which makes it simpler for him to execute in actual match conditions.

“I do create match simulation situations for myself. I visualise myself always going in the 16th, 17th or 18th over. Then I put myself in imaginary match situations where you need 30 off 12 balls or 18 from 6 balls or 12 runs off 3 balls,” Jitesh defined his course of.

“I just don’t go through the motion. In every net session, I practice with a specific aim in mind. And that’s how when I find myself in similar situations during the match, I find it easy to maintain the momentum,” he mentioned.

So does it make him cautious that there are such a lot of high quality wicketkeeper-batters all gunning for one slot?

There is Rishabh Pant, who will come again in some unspecified time in the future in time, there’s Ishan Kishan, presently India’s No.1 keeper-batter throughout codecs, Sanju Samson could be very a lot current, whereas Jitesh may have Prabhsimran Singh for firm within the Asiad squad.

“Yes, there is competition if you look at it that way. But one should only compete with one’s self rather than looking at others,” he mentioned.

“I would endeavour to get better every day. Whatever scope I get, it should be invested in improving myself. All of us want to play for the country and that’s an ultimate goal for everyone. Your fight will be with yourself.”

A multi-sport occasion like Asian Games will probably be a special expertise for him.

“I am very happy and excited to be a part of such a prestigious event and meet renowned athletes.

I am currently in the pre-season camp with the Vidarbha team and we are training at the Old Civil Lines ground. I was about to go off to sleep when a friend called up to inform me about my selection.

“My parents were already off to sleep and when I got up next day to inform them, they already knew,” he laughed.