Harleen Deol Blesses Jitesh Sharma Ahead of India vs South Africa T20

Mullanpur, December 12, 2025: A lighthearted yet memorable moment unfolded at the PCA Stadium in Mullanpur before the second T20 International between India and South Africa. Indian women’s cricket star Harleen Deol was seen playfully blessing Indian men’s team wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma by having him touch her feet—a gesture captured on camera and shared widely.

A Fun Pre-Match Interaction
The incident occurred as the Indian men’s team prepared for the T20 World Cup, playing a series against South Africa and New Zealand. As Harleen Deol warmed up, she jokingly asked Jitesh to touch her feet, which he promptly did, exchanging a few words with her. The lighthearted moment was seen as a symbolic gesture of encouragement and good luck from the women’s cricket star to the men’s team.

In the Presence of Legends
The stadium had been specially decorated to honor cricketing icons, with stands named after Yuvraj Singh (2011 World Cup) and Harmanpreet Kaur (2025 World Cup). The interaction between Harleen and Jitesh added a personal touch to the occasion, emphasizing camaraderie between the men’s and women’s teams. With Jitesh Sharma being the first-choice wicketkeeper for the upcoming T20 World Cup, such gestures of motivation are seen as a morale booster for the team.

Match Result and Performance
Despite the good wishes, India fell short, losing the match to South Africa by 51 runs. Chasing a target of 214, the Indian team was all out for 162. Individually, Jitesh Sharma contributed a useful 27 runs, including two fours and two sixes. Behind the stumps, he executed a crucial run-out of Quinton de Kock, who was batting on 90.

This playful yet inspiring exchange highlights the growing camaraderie and mutual respect between India’s men’s and women’s cricket teams, serving as a morale booster as they gear up for the World Cup.