Jitesh Sharma credits his recent comeback as a T20 batsman to the guidance he’s received from Dinesh Karthik, the mentor at Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Karthik has a vision for Jitesh, believing he can evolve into a player who can play all around the field. Last season wasn’t great for Jitesh with the Punjab Kings; he managed only 187 runs in 14 matches, with an average of 17 and a strike rate of 131. But things are looking up at RCB. So far this season, he’s scored 85 runs in just four matches, and his strike rate has shot up to 185, which shows he’s regaining his confidence.
Speaking before a match against the Delhi Capitals, Jitesh reflected on his growth, saying, This journey has been amazing. During the off-season, I put in a lot of hard work with Karthik. The shots I’m playing now are so much like the ones he used to play. He’s really trying to create a whole new player in me. He feels that Karthik has a lot of faith in his batting skills. He thinks I can play in every direction — all angles. I’m really enjoying this new role. Hitting those shots makes me happy because I never tried them before, and having his support really helps. The learning process is still ongoing, he shared.
Karthik also made it clear to Jitesh that every player goes through tough seasons, and it’s nothing to get upset about. Jitesh admitted, Last year’s performance was more about my mindset. I wasn’t focused on the game; I was worried about what was next. Dinesh bhai told me it’s just a part of being human, and it’s not something complicated. After getting dropped from the Indian T20I team following a series against Afghanistan early this year, Jitesh found himself worried. Karthik pinpointed areas he could improve. He noticed my approach when I’m trying to dominate games. I’m not just focused on getting runs; I want to win matches. He realized there were some shots I wasn’t using and helped me work on that.
The progress is evident as Jitesh recently scored 33 runs from 21 balls against the Gujarat Titans and followed it up with an impressive 40 runs off just 19 balls against the Mumbai Indians.
When discussing their upcoming match against the Delhi Capitals, Jitesh expressed confidence. I think we have the upper hand. We’ve won some tough away games, which gives us an advantage. He feels that while the RCB batting lineup contributes as a unit, the Capitals might be relying too heavily on just a few key players. It will definitely be a good challenge, he noted.
Jitesh emphasized that RCB’s success this season is due to their smart approach on the field rather than just playing aggressively. We’re playing smart cricket. We’re not just charging at every bowler. We know what each player is good at, and the team management has clearly defined our roles. For instance, I might focus on certain bowlers while my teammates handle others. He insisted they’re not blindly trying to dominate; it’s all about executing their game plan effectively.
Recently, Jitesh faced the talented bowler Jasprit Bumrah. After the match, he shared how impressed he was. It felt like he hadn’t missed a beat since the ICC Champions Trophy. Bumrah is so precise. He looked fit and ready, and it’s clear he’s at the top of his game right now.
