With India having already secured their place in the Asia Cup 2025 final, their Super 4 match against Sri Lanka today, September 26, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium becomes a dead rubber. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has been knocked out of contention after losing their matches against Bangladesh and Pakistan. This situation presents India with an opportunity to experiment with their lineup and give chances to players who haven't had much game time. One such player is Jitesh Sharma, the wicketkeeper-batter who has been waiting in the wings.

The question on everyone's mind is whether India will give Jitesh Sharma a chance in this inconsequential match. Jitesh Sharma was included in the Asia Cup 2025 squad after his impressive performance for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2025. Known for his aggressive batting style and ability to finish games, Jitesh Sharma could be a valuable asset for the Indian team in the long run.

Sanju Samson has been India's preferred choice as wicketkeeper, but he hasn't been able to solidify his place in the middle order. In his two outings, Samson has scored 13 and 56. According to assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, it's difficult to fit someone like Jitesh or Rinku Singh into the playing XI, suggesting that they are unlikely to get a game given the situation. He mentioned that the team would look at bilateral series to give chances to these players.

However, some reports suggest that the team management might be tempted to test Jitesh Sharma in this match against Sri Lanka. A possible India-Pakistan showdown is expected in the final on Sunday. Considering Samson's struggles to fit into the middle order, the team management might want to try out Jitesh Sharma before the big final.

Looking at Jitesh's IPL record, he has a healthy strike rate while batting at number 5, scoring 374 runs in 18 innings at a strike rate of 147.8. His numbers are even better at number 6, where he has scored 384 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of 167. These stats indicate that Jitesh Sharma is well-suited for the role of a middle-order slogger who can finish games.

The match against Sri Lanka provides India with the perfect opportunity to test Jitesh Sharma's skills and assess his suitability for the finisher's role. It remains to be seen whether the team management will seize this opportunity or stick with the established players.

Apart from team selection, India might also rest Jasprit Bumrah for this match, keeping him fresh for the final against Pakistan. This could mean a chance for Harshit Rana, who can also contribute with the bat.

The pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is expected to be batting-friendly, with the new ball skidding onto the bat well. However, timing the ball might become difficult after the first 10 overs. Spinners are likely to play a key role, with the slow bowlers expected to enjoy bowling on this track.