Jitesh Sharma’s exclusion from India’s squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup has sparked plenty of debate among fans and experts. The wicketkeeper-batter was not only left out of the marquee ICC event but was also ignored for the five-match T20I home series against New Zealand. What made the decision even more surprising was the fact that Jitesh had been India’s preferred wicketkeeper in the recently concluded T20I series against South Africa.
Along with him, Shubman Gill was also dropped, while Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh made their way back into the side. With Suryakumar Yadav set to captain the team and Axar Patel named as his deputy, India will begin their World Cup campaign against the USA in Mumbai on February 7. In this context, leaving out Jitesh Sharma appears to be a questionable call for several reasons.
#1 Jitesh Sharma’s Proven Impact As A Finisher
Jitesh Sharma has consistently delivered strong performances in the death overs, particularly in the Indian Premier League. Representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he played a crucial role in their title-winning season earlier this year. Across 11 innings, he scored 261 runs at an impressive strike rate of 176.35, often turning matches in his team’s favour during the closing stages.
His international numbers are respectable as well, with 162 runs from 12 T20I innings at a strike rate above 150. Jitesh’s fearless approach and ability to start scoring quickly make him one of India’s most reliable finishing options. On pitches in India and Sri Lanka, where smart hitting at the end can decide games, his skill set would have been extremely valuable.
#2 Rinku Singh’s Inconsistent Recent Form
Following Jitesh Sharma’s omission, Rinku Singh seems to be the leading candidate for the finisher’s role. However, his recent performances have not fully justified that trust. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025–26, Rinku managed 172 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 135.43, which was below expectations for a specialist finisher.
His IPL 2025 campaign was also underwhelming, as he scored 206 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 153.73. Despite these modest returns, he has been preferred over Jitesh, who showed greater consistency and impact in pressure situations.
#3 Jitesh Sharma’s Ability To Play All-round Attacking Shots
One of Jitesh Sharma’s biggest strengths is his wide range of strokes. He is capable of attacking the field in every direction, using shots like switch hits, scoops, and innovative lofted strokes to unsettle bowlers. This 360-degree batting style is especially useful in the final overs when teams look to maximise runs against defensive fields.
Jitesh has repeatedly showcased this quality in the IPL, including a memorable unbeaten 85 off just 35 balls against Lucknow Supergiants, where he powered RCB to a record chase of 228. Such game-changing ability is hard to ignore, making his exclusion from the World Cup squad a decision that raises serious questions.
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