"It will be great to play under Virat Kohli" - Jitesh Sharma on his upcoming stint with RCB in IPL 2025
Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma was among the several players who were in high demand at the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction last month. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who were looking for Dinesh Karthik's successor following his retirement, secured the Vidarbha player's services after making the winning bid of INR 11 crore.
Jitesh is currently enjoying a prolific campaign as a finisher in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy while leading the state side too. It's the same explosiveness that RCB desire in the upcoming IPL season, as they begin the cycle with a new-look team.
The wicketkeeper-batter's consistent outings for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) during the previous cycle made him a regular presence in the second-string Indian side. With the race among glovesmen being a hectic one in the national team setup, Sharma could use a blockbuster IPL season to stake his claim.
RCB's revamped outfit is still without a leader after Faf du Plessis' release. There is a strong chance that Virat Kohli might return as captain, which is an opportunity that Jitesh Sharma is looking forward to.
"It will be great to play under Virat Kohli. I would love to play under him because he is so energetic and enthusiastic—it can push my limits. A person who is always involved in the game can inspire me to push my game further. think I’ll try to learn from Kohli’s consistency and how he has kept himself fit and motivated over all these years," Sharma said in an interview with the Times of India.
Jitesh Sharma got an opportunity to play alongside Kohli in the last of his 10 T20I appearances for India, which came during the home series against Afghanistan.
"It feels like the perfect team for me" - Jitesh Sharma on being picked by RCB in the IPL Auction
Jitesh Sharma scored 27 runs off 20 deliveries in his sole IPL appearance at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium when RCB hosted PBKS during the early stages of the 2024 edition.
The wicketkeeper was in high demand and attracted early bids from the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) before RCB jumped in. The PBKS had raised the winning bid with the help of the RTM card, which RCB were willing to match.
"I wasn’t expecting anything from the auction. I was just hoping and praying to join a good team where I could play freely and express myself. I am incredibly grateful and thankful to God that I went to RCB—it feels like the perfect team for me," Jitesh Sharma added.
Jitesh Sharma has scored 124 runs in five innings in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament at an average of 41.33 and a strike rate of 229.62.