Who is Jitesh Sharma? Know Details About Sanju Samson's Replacement For Sri Lanka T20Is

As of now, he has played 12 matches for Punjab Kings and he has collected 234 runs from 10 innings including a 34-ball 44 against Delhi Capitals.

Jitesh Sharma in action. ( Image Source :PTI )

Star keeper batter of India Sanju Samson was ruled out from India’s T20I squad after he sustained a knee injury. BCCI added Jitesh Sharma as Sanju’s replacement. Since Rishabh Pant is hospitalized after he met with an accident, the Punjab Kings’ wicketkeeper will be donning the blue jersey.

NEWS - Sanju Samson ruled out of the remainder of T20I series.

The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Jitesh Sharma as replacement for Sanju Samson.

More details here - https://t.co/0PMIjvONn6 #INDvSL @mastercardindia

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 4, 2023

"He was taken for scans and a specialist opinion this afternoon in Mumbai by the BCCI Medical Team and has been advised rest and rehabilitation," read a BCCI statement.

"The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Jitesh Sharma as a replacement for Sanju Samson."

Who is Jitesh Sharma?

Jitesh made headlines when he got to play for Punjab Kings in the previous edition against Chennai Super Kings. He scored a quick-fire 17-ball 26. As of now, he has played 12 matches for Punjab Kings and he has collected 234 runs from 10 innings including a 34-ball 44 against Delhi Capitals.

Jitesh plays for Vidarbha in the domestic circuit and has been a consistent performer for them. In the 2015-16  Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Jitesh finished as the third-highest run scorer. The right-handed batter then amassed 343 runs at a wholesome strike rate of over 140 with the help of a ton and two half-centuries.

The Vidarbha-based batter was then roped in by Mumbai Indians for 10 lakhs in the IPL 2016 auction. He was later acquired by Punjab Kings in the 2022 IPL auction for 20 lakhs.

India's updated squad for Sri Lanka T20Is: Hardik Pandya (Captain), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (VC), Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, Mukesh Kumar.