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I want to win matches for RCB, not simply score runs: Jitesh Sharma
Follow UsRoyal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) splashed the cash on the wicketkeeper-batter, with the franchise shelling out a whopping INR 11
Vidarbha’s Jitesh Sharma emerged as one of the most exciting T20 batters in the country after stellar performances across the 2022 and 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons, but he had a dip in IPL 2024, where he managed just 187 runs at an average of 17.00.
However, that did not stop Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) from splashing the cash on the wicketkeeper-batter, with the franchise shelling out a whopping INR 11 cr for the 31-year-old at the IPL 2025 mega auction.
It was one of the more surprising big buys at the auction, considering Jitesh had fallen out of favour with the national team, but the bid spoke volumes of the faith RCB had - and have - in the right-hander’s talent and potential.
Now, come IPL 2025, Jitesh wants to repay the faith by winning matches for the side.
“All the current and former RCB players have been telling me that I will love batting there. They said that even if you mistime the ball, it will go for a six. I told them I don’t want to mistime anything; I want to time everything. I am going to focus more on winning matches for RCB rather than scoring runs,” Jitesh told Sportstar.
The right-hander is someone who has been known for his impact rather than the volume of runs, and he asserted that, ultimately, only one thing has always mattered to him - whether his team ends up on the winning side.
“I love to win matches. If I score runs but the team loses, I don’t like that. I am the happiest person if I score a duck, but the team wins. Winning and losing is the ultimate in sport,” Jitesh said.
He admitted that the 11 cr price tag took him aback, claiming that he was expecting a significantly lesser amount.
“I wasn’t expecting so much money. I was expecting around Rs. 6 to 8 crore. But RCB showed so much belief in me, and I am very grateful for this opportunity,” Jitesh said.
With an enormous price tag comes enormous pressure, but for Jitesh, the 11 cr amount is a ‘confidence booster’ rather than a pressure invoker.
“More than pressure, this is a challenge for me, and I feel I am worthy of it,” Jitesh said of his price tag.
“It feels good that they attached such a huge price tag on me when they increased my value against the Right to Match option. It gives me more confidence rather than pressure. It is now my turn to give it back to the team.”