Home
India wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma has credited Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batting coach and mentor for helping him grow during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Under Karthik’s guidance, Jitesh started playing unorthodox shots which helped him score more freely and at a rapid rate. The wicketkeeper-batter got emotional talking about Karthik’s influence as he helped him work on his strength instead of pointing out what he lacks.
"Jo kisi ne mere andar aaj tak nahi dekhi woh us insaan ne mere andar dekha. Sab logo ne mere mein khaamiyaan dhoondi but us aadmi ne mere mey khoobi dekhi (What no one had ever seen inside me, that person saw within me. Everyone else looked for flaws in me, but that man saw my strengths)," Jitesh told TOI.
"People used to tell me what I lack, but he worked on my strength and made me more confident about my game. That has made a huge difference. I felt it was my duty to give 100 per cent because of the way he instilled that confidence in me. He is like an elder brother to me. I have found that elder brother very late in my life, but I am glad that I did. I follow his instructions without asking any questions," he added.
In the IPL 2025, Jitesh scored his maiden fifty in a mammoth run chase against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). As RCB's designated finisher, he amassed 261 runs at an average of 37.28 from 11 innings. His strike rate of 176.35 stood out. The stellar season led to his T20I recall in the absence of an injured Rishabh Pant for the T20 Asia Cup 2025.
Jitesh on his idol Suryakumar
Jitesh will be playing under his idol Suryakumar Yadav in the T20 Asia Cup 2025. He also recalled pulling off Suryakumar's 'Supla' shot in the IPL 2025 final against Punjab Kings (PBKS) where he contributed with a 10-ball 24 cameo.
"Surya bhai is an inspiration for so many people. He made his international debut at 31. It gives lots of hope for all the late bloomers. He is one of the best T20I batters in the world. He can manipulate the field, he can tear apart any bowling attack.
"Wo talent ke bhandaar hai, mai unse seekhne ki koshish karta rehta hoon, unko copy karne ki koshish karta hoon (He is a storehouse of talent; I keep trying to learn from him and often try to emulate him). I used to copy him a lot. But now I have started to execute the shots as well. Ek Supla aaya IPL final mey (I managed to hit one Surya special in the IPL final)," said the 31-year-old.
Jitesh or Samson as wicketkeeper-batter in Asia Cup?
However, there is a big question mark over whether Jitesh will get a chance in the Asia Cup or he is picked as a back-up wicketkeeper. With Shubman Gill picked as vice-captain, there were speculations that he will open the innings with Abhishek Sharma. If Sanju Samson warms the bench, Jitesh will bat in the middle order.
ADVERTISEMENT
