Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma was one of the most sought-after players at the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), in search of a replacement for the retired Dinesh Karthik, won the bid for the Vidarbha player at INR 11 crore.
Jitesh is having an impressive season as a finisher in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, also captaining his state side. This explosiveness is exactly what RCB is looking for as they start the new IPL season with a revamped team.
His consistent performances for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the previous season earned him a spot in India’s second-string squad. With stiff competition for wicketkeeper positions in the national team, Sharma could use a standout IPL season to strengthen his case.
RCB’s revamped squad is yet to appoint a captain following Faf du Plessis’ release. There is a high possibility that Virat Kohli will take over the captaincy again, an opportunity that Jitesh Sharma is excited about.
“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 had the chance to play alongside Kohli in his final T20I appearance for India, which took place during the home series against Afghanistan.
“It feels like the ideal team for me”- Jitesh Sharma on being selected by RCB in the IPL Auction
Jitesh Sharma made 27 runs off 20 balls in his only IPL appearance at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, when RCB faced PBKS in the early part of the 2024 season. The wicketkeeper was highly sought after, drawing early bids from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) before RCB entered the race.
PBKS placed the winning bid using the RTM card, which RCB was prepared 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 accumulated 124 runs in five innings in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament, averaging 41.33 with a strike rate of 229.62.
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