The RCB’s designated finisher Jitesh Sharma said that batting down in the order has redesigned the value of his knocks, and he is now treating scores of 30s ro 40s equivalent to a fifty.
Jitesh Sharma has often come to bat at No.6 in the ongoing IPL 2025 season and his most contribution thus far and has made an impressive 19-ball 40 in RCB’s 12-run win over Mumbai Indians.
Speaking on the media, the 31-year-old relishes a victory for the team more than a personal landmark.
“Now everyone seems to be a finisher. But it’s a difficult job to bat at No 6, No 7 because ever since I started finishing, I haven’t scored a fifty. I was an opener. Earlier I used to score fifties and centuries,” said Jitesh Sharma said.
“I used to enjoy raising my bat when I reached a milestone. But ever since I became a finisher, I never got a chance to make a fifty. 10 balls, 30 runs. 20 balls, 40 runs.
“These scores have become 50 for us. If you do 60–70 in 30 balls, it’s like a 100. And I am happy, very happy doing, if the team wins,” he added.
𝐉𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚: 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 🙌
Talented, Brave, Humble and Smart – attributes not often associated with the same individual. But, he’s different… This is the story of Jitesh Sharma – the man who is… pic.twitter.com/tNlRprM89j
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) April 16, 2025
Jitesh Sharma said being a wicketkeeper offers him certain advantages during a match such an opportunity to study the pitch and opposition batters.
“Your mind definitely gets tired. The advantage is that you can control the game from there. You get an idea about what your team’s bowlers can do on a wicket. You can read other big batters; that’s also an advantage.
“When a new batsman takes four to six balls, he understands the wicket. I understand that in two balls, because I’ve kept the wicket before. I stay involved for 240 balls. That’s the fun of cricket for me,” he said.
Meanwhile, RCB mentor Dinesh Karthik also praised Jitesh for the work that he is putting into his game.
“He is always hungry to learn. He’s like, ‘What can I do?’ He calls me Anna. Those conversations have been very positive. He is at that stage where he’s willing to try anything I say.
“So it’s very fun like that. If I work with him for a year or two, I feel that I can touch the limits ,” he added.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play their next game against Punjab Kings on April 18 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
