India’s remarkable depth was once again on display in Cuttack, where Jitesh Sharma was backed as the first-choice wicketkeeper for the series-opening T20I against South Africa. Having been preferred over Sanju Samson in the final two T20Is in Australia, Jitesh retained the gloves—another strong signal that India’s management sees his explosive finishing ability as a natural fit for the No. 7 role. Samson, despite his superb form as an opener, has slipped slightly down the order because of Shubman Gill’s return to the top.

Yet for Jitesh, the narrative isn’t about rivalry—it’s about respect, learning, and a shared hunger to contribute to India’s success. He dismissed any idea that competition could sour the atmosphere inside the dressing room, instead praising Samson’s influence on his growth.

“I am very grateful that he is in the team and I am under him. He is like an elder brother to me,” Jitesh Sharma said, highlighting how healthy competition brings out the best in players. “Because of healthy competition, your talent comes out. It’s good for the team.”

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He acknowledged that replacing Samson—even temporarily—demands excellence. “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 and play shoulder to shoulder, I have to bring my A-game,” he added.

Their bond goes beyond selection battles, with both regularly exchanging insights on wicketkeeping and batting.

“We both are trying to play for India, not for other teams. We are like brothers. He helps me a lot whenever I do keeping or batting,” Jitesh Sharma said, offering a glimpse into the collaborative spirit shaping India’s current setup.

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His latest opportunity came in a match India dominated from start to finish. Hardik Pandya’s explosive unbeaten 59 lifted India to 175/6 before the bowlers bundled out South Africa for just 74—their lowest total in T20Is. Every bowler took at least one wicket, with Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah standing out. The emphatic win handed India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, reaffirming that depth, competition, and camaraderie remain the backbone of this team’s progress.