Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru's rising middle-order batsman Jitesh Sharma is beginning to turn heads this IPL season with his inventive shot-making and fearless finishing — qualities that bring to mind glimpses of Dinesh Karthik, though any comparison would be premature at this stage.
Speaking ahead of RCB's home clash against Delhi Capitals, Jitesh credited former India wicketkeeper and now RCB mentor Dinesh Karthik for his transformation into a more versatile batsman. "He [Karthik] believes I can play all around the 360 degrees. I have never tried these shots before, but to execute them now feels very satisfying," Jitesh said.
The strokes — late dabs, scoops, and angled lofts — may remind fans of Karthik's repertoire, but Jitesh remains a work-in-progress, still shaping his identity in the IPL's high-pressure cauldron.
After enduring a disappointing 2024 season with Punjab Kings, where he recorded five single-digit scores in 12 innings, Jitesh has flourished at RCB, stepping into the finisher's role vacated by Karthik himself. His 19-ball 40 not out against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede, including 24 runs off eight balls from Trent Boult at the death, proved decisive in RCB’s narrow win.
"Last year's performance was mostly a mental issue. I was not in the moment and was thinking too much about the future. Dinesh bhai helped me understand that such phases are human. He gave me clarity," Jitesh said.
Statistically, Jitesh now ranks among the most effective Indian T20 batsman, with a strike-rate of over 150 in all T20s and a blistering 192.07 in IPL death overs (16–20). But the 31-year-old says his confidence is process-driven. "My confidence doesn't depend on scores. It comes from how I train. If I focus on results, the variables keep changing. So I keep my process strong," he remarked.
Jitesh also praised RCB’s game awareness and role definition. "We are playing smart cricket. Everyone has a role based on matchups. For me, I know whom to target. It's not about hitting every bowler — it's about hitting the right ones at the right time," he said.
With RCB's batting unit clicking and Jitesh evolving into a game-changer, the team appears well poised as the IPL season heats up.