Indian T20 League 2022: Punjab’s star wicket-keeper injured

Punjab played Gujarat in the 16^th match of the Indian T20 League 2022 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. The match turned out to be a last-ball thriller. In a match that shifted balance throughout its duration, Gujarat snatched away victory in the last ball of the match.

While it seemed like Punjab had the match in their hands Rahul Tewatia hit two sixes off the last two balls of the match to win the match for Gujarat. Punjab’s woes have seemingly not ended with an unreal defeat, an important player of their squad has sustained an injury.

Jitesh Sharma, the wicket-keeper batter from Vidarbha is a part of the Punjab team for the Indian T20 League 2022. But in the match against Gujarat Jitesh was fielding as Jonny Bairstow took the gloves behind the stumps for the team.

While fielding Sharma dived to save a boundary and apparently pulled his hamstring muscle. He was immediately forced to leave the ground. However, there has not yet been any confirmation on the nature of his injury or his further availability.

It was the 11^th over of the Gujarat innings when Shubman Gill played a beautiful cut shot. Jitesh Sharma was positioned at deep point and he dived to stop the well-timed shot from reaching the boundary. But the ball beat him to his right and resulted in a boundary. It was this effort that led to his injury.

Punjab is next scheduled to play on the 13^th of April. This would mean that Sharma might have enough time to heal if it is a minor injury. Speaking of his performances in the Indian T20 League 2022, he has scored 49 runs in 2 innings. However, it is his keeping and presence of mind that has grabbed attention.