A memorable game for Jitesh Sharma. He was not effective with the bat. But did some brilliant job as wicketkeeper. Because of the wicketkeeping job, he touched a record set by former India captain MS Dhoni. Sharma equals Dhoni’s record in India vs South Africa !st T20I match at the Barabati stadium in Odisha.
Jitesh Sharma touched MS Dhoni’s record
Jitest Sharma repeated history by taking four catches in a single match. Jitest has equaled the great Dhoni for the most catches in a T20 International match as an Indian wicketkeeper. It should be noted that Dhoni has been successful in taking more than four catches in a T20 International match four times.
India replaced Sanju with Jitesh in the playing XI for the first T20 International against South Africa. Sanju played a key role in India’s 101-run victory with a stellar performance behind the stumps. “He (Sanju) is a great player. If you have to compete against him and go shoulder to shoulder with him, I have to give my best. I think we are trying to play for India, not for any other team,” Jitesh told reporters after the match.
Sanju had scored 436 runs in T20 International cricket last year with the help of three centuries. He formed a strong opening pair with Abhishek Sharma but after the return of Shubman Gill to the T20 team, Sanju’s place in the team was not confirmed and his role in the playing eleven became uncertain.
Most dismissals by an Indian wicketkeeper in T20Is
5 – MS Dhoni vs England, Bristol, 2018
4 – MS Dhoni vs Afghanistan, Gros Islet, 2010
4 – MS Dhoni vs Pakistan, Colombo (RPS), 2012
4 – MS Dhoni vs Sri Lanka, Cuttack, 2017
4 – Dinesh Karthik vs England, Southampton, 2022
4 – Jitesh Sharma vs South Africa, Cuttack, 2025