Star Kerala wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson was ignored when former opening batter Akash Chopra chose first-choice Groveman for the Indian National Cricket Team at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Instead of Sanju Samson, Aakash Chopra has chosen Royal Challenger Bengaluru (RCB) star Jitesh Sharma as the forward for the position of wicketkeeper Batman in India’s ICC men’s T20 World Cup 2026 team.
Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma appear in India’s Asian Cup team
Jitesh Sharma, a 31-year-old Royal Challengers Bengaluru player, alongside Sanju Samson, is one of two wicketkeeper Batman selected for the Indian team at Asia Cup 2025.
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He arrived at a 15-man team behind his heroic in 2025 with the RCB’s Maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) victory.
In 15 games, he averaged 37.28 and scored on a strike rate of 261 runs and 176.35. He also took 19 catches in IPL 2025 and gave one loot.
He could be playing XI as a middle-aged batsman in India. Vice Captain Shubman Gill will replace Groveman’s Sanju Samson as he is likely to open an inning with Abhishek Sharma.
Meanwhile, speaking on his official YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that Jitesh’s numbers were pretty good while batting from 4 to 7. He said:
“We’re coming to the guy out there (in the Asian Cup team). I feel he plays for XI. That’s Jitesh Sharma. When he plays Nos. When he plays 1 to 3, he has a strike rate of 135 and you shouldn’t think about it much.
He appears to be in No. 1 – Aakash Chopra gives Jitesh Sharma the batsman spot for the wicketkeeper in T20 WC
Aakash Chopra batted the big strike rate of Jitesh Sharma in the middle and lower positions as India’s first choice ticket gater Batman at ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. He said.
“His strike rate is 166 and an average of 28. He is the first batter with a strike rate of over 150. So once the order of the pecking order is prepared, he goes to the top. The number of Zitesh Sharma looked the best among everyone else.
Aakash Chopra further spoke about Dhruv Jurel, saying that young Wicketkeeper-Batsman is also competing for next year’s T20 World Cup. He said:
“Dhruv Jurel is part of the Indian setup at the moment. He is currently one of the standbys. He has only played two matches in No. 1 to 3 so we won’t talk about the strike rate of 71.
He is also an ongoing work-AakashChopra
However, the cricketer-turned commentator said Dhruv Jurel was “on-going work” at the moment, but added that he is extremely talented. He said:
“He’s also an ongoing job. I’m not saying he’s a finished product, but Dhruv Jurel has a lot of time because he’s a good cricketer.
“He has the power. He has the talent to hit that number, and that’s the thought process behind the Indian team management that keeps him in. That’s why he’s part of the standby. He was part of the team last time, and now he’s part of the stands.”
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