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India’s wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma was one of the two batters who were dropped from T20 World Cup 2026 snub to make way for Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh. As the selectors opted for better combination after axing vice-captain Shubman Gill, Jitesh missed the bus after limited chances. Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 opener, RCB vice-captain Jitesh has revealed that it was Hardik Pandya who texted him first after the squad was announced. A few other players texted him too but the star all-rounder gave him an advice as well.
“Hardik bhai was the first one who messaged me when I wasn’t picked for the World Cup," Jitesh told YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia. “He advised me to just keep growing as a person, as a cricketer. A lot of cricketers messaged me. Arshdeep (Singh), Avesh (Khan) – they are my good friends and they all messaged. Shivam (Dube) bhai too."
Jitesh praised Hardik for helping him unconditionally. In addition, he lauded his RCB teammate Krunal Pandya as well.
“Hardik Pandya is the most helpful guy I’ve met. I’ve not met anyone who gives more bats to kids than him, even without being asked. He even gave one to me once. Even Krunal bhai, you call him and he’s there to help you," he said.
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“I also play for Baroda and have interacted with him (Hardik) several times. He’s a very smart cricketer who knows exactly what he’s doing," he added.
Jitesh on bouncer-bowling Krunal
The wicketkeeper-batter then pointed out how Krunal keeps the batters guessing with his attacking mindset. The left-arm spinner won the 'Player of the match' award in the final for taking two wickets and conceding just 17 runs from his quota of four overs.
“Have you ever seen a spinner bowl a bouncer? He’s the first spinner who (regularly) does that. That shows his mentality. Have you ever heard of a batter being afraid that a spinner might bowl a bouncer? That’s the fear he has created," he said.
Milestone awaits Jitesh in IPL 2026 opener
Meanwhile, the 32-year-old wicketkeeper is nearing 1,000 runs in his IPL career. He needs nine more runs in RCB’s clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026 opener on March 28. He has scored 991 runs from 47 innings at an average of 25.41 and strike rate of 157.05. His only fifty, an unbeaten 85 came against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in a run chase, taking RCB into the top two.
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