“We both are not playing for different teams” - Jitesh Sharma opens up on competition with Sanju Samson in the playing XI

Indian T20I first-choice keeper-batter Jitesh Sharma has opened up on his teammate Sanju Samson after being picked as the keeper for the first T20I against South Africa on Tuesday, December 9, in Cuttack.

Speaking about Samson’s influence, Jitesh has revealed that the Kerala batter is like an elder brother to him, adding that both are playing for the Indian national team and not for different teams, highlighting that their bond goes beyond competition. 

“I am very grateful that he is in the team and I am under him. Frankly speaking, he is like an elder brother to me and I think because of healthy competition, your talent comes out. I think it's good for the team also,” Jitesh Sharma said.

"There is so much talent in the Indian team. You can feel it. Sanju Bhai is out and I am playing. He is a great player. One of the great players. If I have to compete with him, I have to play shoulder to shoulder, then I have to bring my A game," he added.

"I think we both are trying to play for India, not for other teams. We are like brothers. We share lots of experience with each other. He helps me a lot whenever I do keeping or batting. That's the thing," he asserted.

In the first T20I, India was tasked to bat first. Finisher Hardik Pandya was the top player for India, scoring 59* off 28 balls with six fours and four sixes as the hosts posted a daunting total of 175/6 in 20 overs on a tough wicket. Batting in the death overs, Jitesh scored 10* runs off five balls with a six.

In reply, South Africa got bundled out for 74 runs in 12.3 overs, losing the game by 101 runs. Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel picked up two wickets apiece.

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