Cuttack: Jitesh Sharma Equates Wicketkeeping Record with MS Dhoni
Jitesh Sharma solidified his position as the wicketkeeper for India’s T20I team during the opening game of the South Africa series by matching the record for wicketkeeping dismissals previously held by MS Dhoni. On December 9, at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, Sharma took four catches, equaling Dhoni’s home record for T20Is.
MS Dhoni, who still maintains the highest number of overall dismissals for India in T20I innings with five, set this record in 2018 against England in Bristol. Both Dhoni and Sharma achieved the four-dismissal milestone at the same venue, Cuttack. During the match, Jitesh caught the dismissals of Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, and Keshav Maharaj, while the Indian bowlers – Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Hardik Pandya – dominated the South African batting line-up.
Most Wicketkeeping Dismissals in an Innings for India in T20Is:
- 5 – MS Dhoni (vs ENG) – Bristol, 2018 (5 catches)
- 4 – MS Dhoni (vs AFG) – St Lucia, 2010 (4 catches)
- 4 – MS Dhoni (vs PAK) – Colombo RPS, 2012 (4 catches)
- 4 – MS Dhoni (vs SL) – Cuttack, 2017 (2 catches, 2 stumpings)
- 4 – Dinesh Karthik (vs ENG) – Southampton, 2022 (3 catches, 1 stumping)
- 4 – Jitesh Sharma (vs SA) – Cuttack, 2025 (4 catches)
The pitch posed challenges for the Indian batting lineup, with early setbacks at scores of 17/2, 48/3, and 104/5. Had it not been for Hardik Pandya’s explosive return to form, where he scored an unbeaten 59 off 28 balls including six fours and four sixes, India could have faced a significantly lower total. With support from Shivam Dube and Sharma, India managed to reach a final score of 175, which ultimately proved sufficient for victory.
Concerns persist in the batting order, while the bowling unit continues to demonstrate strength. The team’s approach with the bat will be closely scrutinized as they prepare for upcoming matches in the northern winter conditions.
