'Want to meet Neeraj Chopra' - Jitesh Sharma reveals checklist after Asian Games selection

Jitesh Sharma, a talented wicketkeeper-batter from Vidarbha who currently plays for Punjab Kings in the IPL, is attracting the attention of cricket enthusiasts as he has been selected in India's squad for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

The 29-year-old has some unique goals and one of his top priorities is to meet Neeraj Chopra, the Indian Olympic gold medalist. Chopra is an idol for Jitesh, as the cricketer admires his mental strength and accomplishments. Jitesh recently revealed that he is keen to speak to Chopra about his mentality, especially considering the unique challenges faced by athletes in individual sports compared to team sports like cricket. 

“I want to meet Neeraj Chopra. He is an idol. He has won an Olympic gold, I don’t think anything can beat that. I want to meet him and will try to talk about his mentality. Playing individual sports is a difficult task. In cricket, you are always surrounded by ten people; you always get that moral support. But in an individual sport, you are on your own out there," Jitesh told the Indian Express.

Apart from meeting top sportspersons like Chopra, Jitesh is excited about the overall experience of being in the games village and interacting with athletes from different sports. He also said that he is looking forward to sharing breakfast and training sessions with them, gaining insights into their routines, and understanding how they excel in their respective disciplines. These experiences are rare in cricket tournaments, and Jitesh believes they will be truly life-changing for him.

"Milkha Singh ka movie jaisa vibe aayega jab saare ladke walk karenge. It will be an absolute privilege to walk with the top sportspersons of our country,” he said. "It will be a very good experience to be in the games village with other athletes, have breakfast with them, and train with them in the gym."

Jitesh wants to be a 360-degree player like Suryakumar Yadav

Jitesh's journey in cricket has been nothing short of remarkable. Initially not planning to pursue cricket seriously, he transformed himself into a power hitter by changing his batting style. Without a coach, he relied on YouTube videos, particularly those of Adam Gilchrist and Sourav Ganguly, to learn the game. Now, he is trying to study the batting techniques of Suryakumar Yadav as he aims to become a 360-degree batter.

“I am just trying to observe Suryakumar Yadav. Main unke jitna skilfull nahi hun (I am not as skilful as him). But I am watching his videos on how he manipulates the field, how he plays those risk-free shots. I am just trying to learn from his batting. Everyone has a different skill set. I am just trying to explore my game and make it 360,” he said.

In addition to batting, Jitesh is also working on improving his wicketkeeping skills. He said that he is focusing on maintaining calmness behind the stumps and providing valuable feedback to the team. Jitesh highlighted the importance of consistency and gradual improvement in his skill set.

As Jitesh Sharma prepares for the Asian Games, he eagerly anticipates checking off his checklist. Meeting Neeraj Chopra and experiencing the camaraderie of the Indian contingent is high on his checklist. Driven by his commitment to improvement and passion for the game, Jitesh aims to make a lasting impact at the Asian Games and enhance his standing in Indian cricket as a player.