Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has voiced strong criticism over the selection of India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, labelling the omission of young opener Shubman Gill and wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma as "shocking".
Karthik's Emotional Instagram Reel Reaction
In a heartfelt Instagram Reel lasting one minute and 40 seconds, Karthik did not hold back his emotions. "I didn't see that coming," he stated, directly questioning the selection committee's decision-making process. "It just tells you there's a little bit of clarity lacking. I feel really bad for Shubman Gill and Jitesh Sharma," Karthik added, highlighting his sympathy for the two players who were widely expected to make the cut.
The Puzzling Case of Jitesh Sharma
While much of the focus has been on Shubman Gill's exclusion, the non-selection of Jitesh Sharma is equally perplexing. The 32-year-old Vidarbha cricketer has been a perfect team man, notably warming the bench without complaint during last year's series against Bangladesh when Sanju Samson was the first-choice keeper.
His performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were instrumental in his recall. Though he scored 261 runs in RCB's title-winning season, it was his explosive strike rate of 176.35 while batting at positions 6 and 7 that caught the selectors' eyes, earning him a spot in the Asia Cup squad.
T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, whom Jitesh considers his idol, publicly backed him, noting a significant transformation in his approach post the last T20 World Cup. "He's been a completely different cricketer post that... he's earned his spot again," Suryakumar had said.
From Asia Cup Bench to World Cup Snub
Despite being in the initial plans for the Asia Cup in Dubai, Jitesh found himself sidelined as the team management experimented with Samson in the middle order. He waited patiently throughout the tournament, working hard in the nets.
His chance finally came during the T20I series in Australia, where he played a crucial cameo of an unbeaten 22 off 13 balls in the third match, perfectly fulfilling the finisher's role. In the subsequent series against South Africa, he continued to contribute with quick runs and was excellent behind the stumps.
According to reports, Jitesh was even in the team management's Playing XI plans for the World Cup. He was specifically preparing for high-pressure scenarios where he would face only 5-7 balls. However, he has now been dropped for top-order batter Ishan Kishan, a move that has raised eyebrows.
Gill's Future and Jitesh's Heartbreak
At 26, Shubman Gill has age and format versatility on his side, likely getting another shot at World Cup glory. For Jitesh Sharma, however, this omission is a devastating blow. At 32 and a specialist in the T20 format, this was potentially his one big chance to represent India on the global stage.
The article concludes by referencing Jitesh's own belief in fate, a philosophy he mentioned in an earlier interview: "Mere naseeb mein tha" (It was in my destiny). He will now need to rely on that same belief to overcome this significant setback.
