T20 World Cup 2026: India’s wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma seems to have finally found complete clarity about his role. And with every passing game, he is strengthening his case for a spot in India’s squad for next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. His latest performance, during India’s comfortable win over South Africa in the first T20I in Cuttack on Tuesday.
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Showed exactly why the selectors continue to keep a close eye on him. Jitesh made a small but meaningful contribution with the bat, adding quick runs near the end of the innings. While the cameo was short, it was timely and helped give India late momentum.
But it was behind the stumps where he truly stood out. Jitesh collected four sharp catches during South Africa’s chase, falling just one catch short of matching MS Dhoni’s record. Dhoni remains the only Indian men’s wicketkeeper to claim five catches in a single T20I, and Jitesh came very close to joining that elite company.
What makes this comparison even more interesting is the similarity in how both players approach the finishing role. Dhoni built his reputation on closing out matches with remarkable calmness, and Jitesh has shown flashes of that same ability.
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T20 World Cup: Jitesh Sharma Ready to Lead India’s Finishing Act in 2026
His performances in the Indian Premier League were first with the Punjab Kings. And more recently, with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru demonstrated his power and composure under pressure. These displays carried over into his early days in international cricket, including his match-winning effort against Australia in Hobart last month.
Now 32, Jitesh appears increasingly prepared to shoulder the responsibility of being India’s designated finisher during the T20 World Cup. Which India will co-host with Sri Lanka starting February 7? It’s a role he not only understands but embraces. Speaking after India’s 101-run victory over South Africa.
Jitesh said he takes pride in the high-pressure moments that come with batting in the final overs. I think that’s my bread and butter, finishing the games, he said confidently. 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.
If Jitesh continues to perform both as a keeper and as a lower-order hitter. It could come at the expense of Sanju Samson, who is also competing for the wicketkeeper-batter slot. Samson had a decent Asia Cup earlier this year and remains part of the squad for the South Africa series. But the reality is that only one of them is likely to make the final World Cup XI.
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T20 World Cup Final: Samson’s Spot Under Pressure
Despite the competition, Jitesh insists there is no tension between the two. In fact, he describes Samson as an older brother figure and says their rivalry is a healthy one that pushes both players to improve. Frankly speaking, he is like an elder brother, Jitesh said. 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, and 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. He helps me a lot.
However, time is running out for Samson. With just two months left before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, his position in the T20I playing XI looks increasingly uncertain. Not long ago, he was almost guaranteed a spot.
His form in 2024, when he became a regular after Rohit Sharma’s retirement. And scored three centuries in the latter half of the year, had seemingly secured his place. Across 13 innings in the last two years, he accumulated 417 runs and looked well-settled at the top of the order. But the return of Shubman Gill during the Asia Cup reshaped India’s batting plans.
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