“I had a sense of what it takes…” – Dinesh Karthik Identifies the Defining Moment in Jitesh Sharma’s Career

Dinesh Karthik has praised Jitesh Sharma for his mature mindset and fearless batting that earned him a return to the Indian squad. The wicketkeeper-batter was recalled after playing a crucial role in RCB’s successful IPL 2025 campaign.

Jitesh, who last played for India in January 2024 against Afghanistan, shone in the lower middle order for RCB. He scored 261 runs in 11 innings at an average of 37.28 and a blistering strike rate of 176.35. His standout knock came against Lucknow Super Giants, where he smashed an unbeaten 85 off 33 balls to chase 228 in 18.4 overs. The innings secured RCB a top-two finish.

Karthik, now RCB’s batting coach, explained how he helped Jitesh shift from quick cameos to match-winning contributions.

“What he really wanted to improve was his ability to finish games and take the team past a competitive total. He often played short cameos without figuring out how to build a big innings that could win matches,” Karthik told Cricbuzz.

“I had a sense of what it takes to do that. With the skills he possessed, there was so much potential. I just had to unlock it,” he added.

Karthik also recalled how Jitesh’s fearless batting for Punjab Kings first caught attention and led to his India call-up, but noted that a sense of urgency had crept into his game back then.

“He was never desperate to play for India. He showcased fearless batting for the Punjab Kings, which ultimately led to his selection in the Indian team,” Karthik said.