Jitesh just misses Dhoni's record in T20 World Cup audition

Jitesh Sharma gave himself every chance of being India's keeper at the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup with an assured performance in his side's easy victory over South Africa in the first T20I in Cuttack on Tuesday.
The keeper-batter contributed some handy late runs during a brief cameo with the bat, before picking up four catches behind the stumps in South Africa's innings to narrowly miss out on joining legendary keeper MS Dhoni as the only India men's keeper to have collected five catches in a T20I match.
Dhoni was one of the best exponents of closing matches with the bat during his time in the game and Jitesh has already provided glimpses of being able to match this with some impressive performances in the Indian Premier League for Punjab Kings and most recently Royal Challengers Bengaluru and through the early stages of his international career.
The 32-year-old was instrumental in a successful run chase over Australia in Hobart last month and looks set to be rewarded in this role during next year's T20 World Cup that India will co-host with Sri Lanka from February 7.
The role as a closer is something Jitesh believes he is well accustomed to and the hard-hitting right-hander said he wants to make it his own prior to the T20 World Cup.
"I think that's my bread and butter, finishing the games," a confident Jitesh declared after India's commanding 101-run victory.
“It is a difficult job. It is a thankless job, basically, finishing games.
“But I enjoy the pressure. When I go in for the last six or five overs, I enjoy the pressure and excitement.”
If Jitesh is to continue behind the stumps for India then it means fellow keeper-batter Sanju Samson may miss out on selection for the T20 World Cup despite some decent efforts with the bat at the Asia Cup earlier this year.
Samson is also in the squad for the South Africa series and Jitesh said the pair are good friends off the field and enjoy a healthy rivalry when competing for the same spot.
“Frankly speaking, he is like an elder brother. With healthy competition, your talent comes out. It is good for the team also. There is so much talent. You can feel it," Jitesh noted.
"Sanju bhaiya is a great player. I have to compete with him, that is when I have to be at my best. We are both trying to play for India. We are like brothers. We share a lot of experience with each other. He helps me a lot.”