'I try to learn one new shot every year': Jitesh Sharma on his range of strokes and stellar IPL debut

Jitesh Sharma, one of the finds of IPL 2022, has attributed his wide range of strokes to his penchant for learning a new shot "every year". The 28-year-old wicketkeeper batter, who has been playing limited overs cricket for Vidarbha since 2014, has grabbed attention with his audacious strokeplay for Punjab Kings. Not only he has established himself in the playing eleven after making his IPL debut, Punjab have relied heavily on him and Liam Livingstone to finish games.

In his seven innings, including three 30-plus scores, Jitesh has scored 162 runs at a strike rate of 167. After his 18-ball 38 in the last game against Rajasthan Royals, the great Virender Sehwag backed his inclusion in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup as a reserve wicket-keeper batter. "Grateful that Sehwag sir has said this about me but I can only do what is in my control and selection is certainly not," the soft-spoken cricketer told PTI on Tuesday.

"I didn't expect that I would have a season like this. As a cricketer you can only try to have the right mindset and focus on performance, the rest is uncontrollable. That is what I tried to do." Jitesh has impressed with his ability to find the boundaries all around the ground.

In the last game, he beautifully flicked in-form leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal for a six and two balls later, he flat batted Prasidh Krishna's slower ball over the mid-off fielder. Jitesh has not done a lot of experimentation in the IPL but makes a conscious effort to learn a new shot every year. He has mixed skills and power effectively to play multiple impact innings for Punjab over the course of the season.

"I have worked hard on this (on his range of strokes). Playing straight is my strength. It is down to preparation again.