IPL 2022: Teamwise unsung hero of the tournament
IPL is known to unearth new talents every season.
5. Jitesh Sharma (PBKS)
Jitesh Sharma is a 28-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Amravati, Maharashtra. He was brought in by Punjab Kings as a cover for Bairstow and Rajapaksa in case they needed to adjust their overseas combination. Jitesh wasn’t an immediate starter and had to wait to get his chance till their 3rd game against CSK.
Jitesh was the chosen wicketkeeper in a few games while Bairstow took the gloves in some others. What remained consistent was his performance as a finisher for PBKS. He displayed immense composure and match awareness in whichever situation he was put into. In his very first game, he smashed three sixes against CSK, finishing the innings with a cameo of 26 from 17 balls.
He didn’t look back and hit another quickfire knock against GT, scoring 23 from 11 balls, followed by 30 off 15 balls against MI, and 38 off 18 against the Royals. Punjab now have a quality finisher to rely on. He also showed composure in a difficult game against DC, where PBKS lost quick wickets, to steady the innings. His contributions were never making the headlines, but he was executing his role to perfection.
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