A light-hearted moment between India women’s cricketer Harleen Deol and India wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma went viral on Thursday, December 11, stealing headlines amid the high-octane second T20I in Mullanpur. A fan-shot clip shows the two meeting before India’s chase at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium — and it’s pure delight: Harleen, spotting Jitesh from a distance, playfully instructs him to “paer pado” (touch my feet) as a mark of respect.
Jitesh obliges with a smile, they exchange a quick chat, and then go about their business — her for the ceremonial duties, him for warm-ups. The moment captured social media attention not just for its humour but for what it represents: camaraderie between men’s and women’s cricket and the mutual respect among Indian players.
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Harleen Deol was at the venue to attend the unveiling of a stand dedicated to Harmanpreet Kaur, named in honour of India’s 2025 World Cup-winning skipper. The ceremony, which also saw the inauguration of a stand celebrating Yuvraj Singh, was attended by Punjab Cricket Association officials and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Jitesh Sharma touched the feet of Harleen Deol 🙏 pic.twitter.com/89NXxFHqL1
— VIKAS (@Vikas662005) December 12, 2025
Harleen Deol has been an important squad player for India — she has represented the country in 37 ODIs and 26 T20Is and played seven matches during the 2025 World Cup, compiling 169 runs from five innings in that campaign. Off the domestic front, she turns out for Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League and brings valuable finishing skills and fielding acumen to the side.
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Jitesh, meanwhile, continued his impressive comeback in the second T20I, executing a brilliant reflex run-out to dismiss Quinton de Kock and contributing a lively 27 off 17 with the bat in a challenging chase. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru man has now featured in 14 T20Is for India at a strike rate of 151.41, cementing his role as the team’s designated power-hitter and first-choice wicketkeeper-batter after Sanju Samson’s absence.
Moments like the Deol–Jitesh exchange add a human touch to high-stakes cricket. For both players, it’s more than a viral clip — it’s a reminder of the unity and shared passion that bind India’s cricket fraternity as they prepare for big tournaments ahead.
