Security Officials Fail to Recognize India Star; Incident Highlights Protocol Gaps at Iconic Venue During India-England Test
Jitesh Sharma Denied Entry Despite Being Part of India’s Cricketing Setup
Indian cricketer Jitesh Sharma faced an unexpected hiccup during the recently concluded third Test match between India and England at Lord’s, when security personnel denied him entry to the stadium. A viral video of the incident shows the player, visibly confused and surrounded by fans, attempting to convince officials of his identity — to no avail.
Despite repeated efforts, Sharma wasn’t allowed through until a familiar face, former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, happened to be nearby.
Dinesh Karthik’s Timely Help Rescues the Situation
Karthik, who was attending the match in a media role, stepped outside to take a phone call. At that moment, Jitesh, standing in a long queue and being held up by security, noticed him. He shouted for Karthik’s attention, but the senior player didn’t hear him initially due to being on the call.
Eventually, Jitesh called Karthik directly on the phone, prompting him to return and speak to the security staff, thereby clearing the way for Sharma to enter the venue. The clip has since gone viral on social media, raising eyebrows about recognition and access procedures at one of cricket’s most historic venues.
Jitesh Sharma: A Rising Star in Indian Cricket
Though not part of India’s Test squad, Jitesh Sharma has been a regular name in India’s T20 lineup since his debut in 2023, having played nine T20 Internationals so far. He is yet to feature in ODIs or Test matches for the national side.
Earlier this year, Jitesh played a pivotal role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s historic IPL 2025 victory. His performance helped RCB lift their maiden IPL title by defeating Punjab Kings in the final — a moment that made headlines across the cricketing world.
Series Update: India Trails 1-2 After Lord’s Loss
India’s performance in the ongoing Test series against England has seen a rollercoaster of results. After a defeat in Headingley, India bounced back brilliantly at Edgbaston, only to suffer a narrow loss at Lord’s, leaving the series at 2-1 in England’s favour.
The fourth Test will be held at Old Trafford in Manchester from July 23, followed by the fifth and final Test at The Oval, London from July 31 to August 4.
England Penalised for Slow Over Rate
Following the third Test, England were docked two ICC World Test Championship points under Article 16.11.2 of the WTC playing conditions, which deducts one point for each over short. After time allowances were accounted for, the deduction brought England’s points tally down from 24 to 22, lowering their points percentage from 66.67% to 61.11%.
This drop in performance metrics resulted in England slipping from second to third in the WTC standings, with Sri Lanka overtaking them. Additionally, England’s players were fined 10% of their match fees.
Incident Underscores Need for Better Coordination
The Jitesh Sharma episode at Lord’s has sparked online debate about how emerging players are recognized and treated at high-profile venues. While the confusion was resolved without further issue thanks to Dinesh Karthik, the moment serves as a reminder for event organizers to review access protocols, especially for players who may not yet be globally recognized but are active contributors to national and league-level cricket.
