Viral Video Claims Entry Denial for Jitesh Sharma at Lord’s

A video that went viral on Wednesday has stirred controversy, suggesting that Indian cricketer Jitesh Sharma faced difficulties entering Lord’s Cricket Ground during the recently concluded third Test between India and England. The video alleges that security officials did not recognize Jitesh, leading to his temporary denial of entry. Despite his efforts to clarify his identity, the situation remained unresolved until former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik appeared on the scene.

Dinesh Karthik’s Involvement in Resolving the Situation

According to the viral footage, Jitesh, surrounded by fans, attempted to get Karthik’s attention as he stepped out to take a phone call. However, Karthik, engrossed in his conversation, did not notice Jitesh’s calls for help. Ultimately, Jitesh resorted to calling Karthik directly, who then assisted him in bypassing the queue.

Dinesh Karthik Addresses the Rumors

In response to the circulating rumors, Dinesh Karthik took to social media to clarify the situation. He explained that he had invited Jitesh to the commentary box and personally escorted him there. Karthik emphasized that the incident occurred below the media center and not at the main entrance of Lord’s Cricket Ground.

Jitesh Sharma’s Recent Achievements and Series Context

Earlier this year, Jitesh played a pivotal role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) securing their first IPL title by defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final. Since his debut for India in 2023, Jitesh has participated in nine T20Is but is yet to feature in ODI or Test cricket. The ongoing series between India and England has been eventful, with India trailing 1-2 after a loss at Headingley and a narrow defeat at Lord’s. The fourth Test is set to commence on July 23 at Old Trafford in Manchester, followed by the series finale at The Oval in London from July 31 to August 4.

England Penalized for Slow Over Rate

In related news, England was penalized two ICC World Test Championship points for maintaining a slow over rate during the third Test. This deduction saw their points drop from 24 to 22 out of 36, reducing their point percentage from 66.67% to 61.11%. Consequently, England slipped from second to third place in the standings, with Sri Lanka moving up to second.