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Jitesh Sharma’s Heartbreak: ‘I Found Out Only After T20 WC Squad Was Announced’

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'Found out only after squad was announced': Jitesh Sharma on T20 WC snub

For every player named in a World Cup squad, there’s another whose dreams are deferred. For Maharashtra’s explosive wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma, that moment of heartbreak came not with a phone call—but with a notification. In a raw and revealing interview, Sharma admitted he discovered his Jitesh Sharma T20 World Cup snub only *after* the BCCI had publicly announced India’s 15-man squad for the 2026 tournament—a revelation that underscores the emotional toll of elite sport and the often impersonal nature of high-stakes selection .

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The Moment of Discovery: A Silent Blow

Unlike many players who receive courtesy calls from selectors before or after squad announcements, Jitesh Sharma was left in the dark. “I found out only after the squad was announced,” he confessed, his voice tinged with lingering pain. “There was no prior communication. I was just scrolling through my phone like any fan—and saw my name wasn’t there.” This lack of direct feedback, he says, made the rejection feel even more abrupt and isolating . In an era where athlete mental health is increasingly prioritized, such omissions raise questions about the human side of selection protocols.

Why He Was a Strong Contender for the T20 WC

Sharma’s disappointment is understandable. His recent domestic and IPL performances painted him as a serious candidate:

  • IPL 2025: Scored 387 runs in 14 matches at a blistering strike rate of 152.36 for Punjab Kings, including two match-winning cameos under pressure .
  • Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025: Amassed 412 runs at an average of 51.50, showcasing consistency in the 50-over format—a trait selectors often value for T20 stability .
  • Wicketkeeping Prowess: Known for sharp glovework and quick stumpings, especially against spin, a crucial asset on subcontinental pitches expected in the 2026 T20 WC .

With Rishabh Pant still managing workload post-injury and Sanju Samson preferred as the primary keeper, Sharma was widely seen as the ideal backup—making his exclusion all the more surprising.

The Emotional Aftermath: From Devastation to Clarity

Initially, Sharma admits he was “completely heartbroken.” He withdrew from family and friends, questioning his worth and future in the game. “For two days, I didn’t leave my room,” he shared. But within a week, he requested a meeting with the national selectors. To his credit, they explained their rationale: they wanted a third keeper who could also contribute as a frontline batter, and KS Bharat’s experience tipped the scales . While it didn’t erase the pain, the clarity helped him accept the decision professionally.

Dinesh Karthik’s Mentorship: A Lifeline in Crisis

Crucially, Sharma didn’t navigate this low point alone. Veteran wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik, his former Punjab Kings teammate and now a national selector, reached out personally. “DK sir called me the next morning,” Sharma recalled. “He didn’t give clichés. He shared his own stories of being dropped—multiple times—and how he used those moments to reinvent himself.” Karthik advised him to focus on fitness, refine his power-hitting against spin, and view this as a temporary setback, not a career endpoint. This mentorship, Sharma says, was “the turning point” in his recovery.

BCCI Selection Process Under Scrutiny

Sharma’s experience has reignited debate about the BCCI’s communication standards. While the board has modernized training facilities and analytics, its human protocols lag behind global peers. Cricket Australia, for instance, mandates personal calls to all shortlisted players—selected or not. The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) offers detailed performance feedback sessions. As noted by the ESPNcricinfo editorial team, “Transparency isn’t coddling—it’s professionalism” . For more on how other nations handle selection, see our deep dive on [INTERNAL_LINK:global-cricket-selection-best-practices].

What’s Next for Jitesh Sharma?

Far from giving up, Sharma is channeling his energy into the upcoming domestic season and IPL 2026. “This snub lit a fire in me,” he said. He’s working with a sports psychologist to build mental resilience and has added strength training to enhance his boundary-hitting range. With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, he sees this as a detour, not a dead end. His goal? To make the selectors regret not picking him—or better yet, to force their hand with undeniable form.

Conclusion: Resilience Beyond the Snub

The story of the Jitesh Sharma T20 World Cup snub is ultimately not about exclusion—it’s about response. In an age where social media amplifies every slight, Sharma chose introspection over outrage, growth over grievance. His journey reminds us that while selection panels decide squads, only the player decides their legacy. And sometimes, the most powerful innings are played off the field.

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