Indian national head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen giving instructions to Jitesh Sharma in the nets as he keeps a close watch on the Royal Challengers Bangalore batter, probably pointing to a place for him in India, playing Xi for the Asia Cup opener against the UAE.
One of the most recent issues that Indian management needs to settle before going to the Asia Cup Group-Stage Game has been the last playing XI. Only Shubman Gill’s inclusion has shaken the balance within the Indian dugout.
Indian T20I opener Sanju Samson is likely to lose his early place for Gill, while not his presence. 3 has also been suspected since Tilak Verma. 2-rank T20i batsman by ICC. Samson may then have to push the order down, where he faces competition as IPL-winning wicket-keeper Jitesh Sharma.
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[Watch] Gautam Gambhir has kept a close watch on Jeetesh Sharma in the nets
Fans, as well as cricket journalists, keep a close watch on the events between India’s training sessions in Dubai. Gautam Gambhir was seen involved in an attractive chat with Samson at the end of 1 of the practice session.
However, the next day, Gautam Gambhir was sidelined to Samson, who was already sitting out for a longer period due to some discomfort after the bronze test. This time, the Indian coach has been seen batting with Jitesh Sharma in the nets.
Indian coach Gautam Gambhir kept a close watch on the RCB finisher and saw him giving some information about contacting his game plan for the upcoming Asia Cup tournament.
Coach Gambhir keeps a close watch on Jitesh’s practice! What is a glimpse of what is next? pic.twitter.com/a3b4qf0opz
– EspNcricinfo (@ESPNCRICINFO) 6 September, 2025
Jitesh Sharma can be named in XI for Asia Cup opener
Leaving Sanju Samson may be in Indian management plans, as it would be a correct estimate that Jitesh can be more useful in order than Sanju Samson.
Samson has a real top-order batsman’s reputation, opening the position where she has scored the maximum of her run. However, Samson is not a cameo player, and Jitesh has done so many times for both Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
On the first day of the practice session, Jitesh was seen drilling a high-wicket-keeping practice with Sanju Samson, while on the second day, Gautam Gambhir examined his abilities with the bat. This indicates that he is soon to seal his place on the Indian side.
Jeetesh Sharma’s ineffective record can be an obstacle for India
31-year-old Indian wicket-keeper batsman Jitesh Sharma has played about 150 T20 games throughout his career. He has scored an average of 2886 runs of 27.22 with a strike rate of over 150, which seems impressive for a low-order batsman.
After his crunch performance in the IPL for Punjab kings, Jitesh was selected for the Indian side and made his debut against Nepal in 2023. In 9 matches, 7 T20 innings played for India, the wicket-keeper has scored an average of just 14 runs by just 14.
In the eleven of playing for the Asia Cup, it is not in the way of the selection of Jitesh-so it can be the only obstacle; However, his important innings for RCB in IPL 2025 may oversee their previous failures for India.
Also read: MS Dhoni not! Shivam Dubey is inspired by Gautam Gambhir