Royal Challengers Bengaluru star Jitesh Sharma is back in India’s T20I team after almost 20 months for the Asia Cup 2025, which is set to be played between eight teams in Dubai and Abu Dhabi from September
9 to 28. And if reports are to be believed, then the 31-year-old cricketer from Maharashtra is ahead of Sanju Samson as wicketkeeper for India in the premier continental event, the matches of which are set to take place in T20I format this year.
According to RevSportz, Jitesh, who has played nine T20Is for India so far, was the first one to hit the practice session on Friday, and he was seen doing the wicketkeeping, whereas Samson was seen doing a lot of high catching and throwdowns.
The clips of Jitesh with the gloves are an indication that he might be team management’s first choice for the stumper’s role.
It has also been reported by the portal that Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma, in addition to batting, were also seen rolling their arms in the nets. Tilak and Abhishek have been used as part-time bowlers by Indian team management in the past, and in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where the wicket traditionally assists spinners more than the pacers, the two can be used by Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav to bowl a few overs during the Asia Cup 2025.
In the Asia Cup this year, the Indian team will open their campaign on September 10 against the United Arab Emirates at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, and the team’s second Group A match is scheduled to take place on September 14 against arch-rivals Pakistan.
India will then travel to Abu Dhabi for their third and last group match, which is scheduled against Oman on September 19.
If the Suryakumar Yadav-led side manage to finish in the top two of Group A, then they will qualify for the Super Fours. In Super Fours, India will play one match each against the top two teams of Group B and one match against the team from Group A. The top two teams after the conclusion of the Super Fours round will then face each other in the final of the Asia Cup on Sunday, September 28.
