‘This year, I am playing with emotions’ – Jitesh Sharma on taking it personally for RCB in IPL 2025

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season has been going really well for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who have already qualified for the playoffs with a few league stage games remaining. The wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma has been a vital part of RCB’s strong campaign in the current tournament, in addition to players like Virat Kohli and Josh Hazlewood.

According to Jitesh Sharma, who is in his first season with the Bengaluru-based team, he feels a particular connection to the team. Before the competition, Jitesh participated in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy in Alur, which is 30 km from Bangalore. He had recently been selected by the team at the hefty auctions. According to Jitesh, the Vidarbha cricket player has been motivated to succeed for RCB because people in Alur only knew him because of his affiliation with the team.

This year, I’m experimenting with feelings. We are mentally prepared and aware that there will be wins and losses; we choose not to let it to affect us. But for RCB, I’m taking it personally this time. I was playing Syed Mushtaq in Alur when I first noticed that there were a lot of large players playing the game and that others were standing there. Everyone remained silent and composed while they were batting. “It hit me when people yelled, ‘Jitesh, RCB, RCB,’ just as I came to bat,” Jitesh and Mayanti Langer remarked on the RCB podcast.

𝗝𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮: 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲, 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲

Jitesh talks about his cricket, mindset, equation with Rajat, discussions with Virat, and more on @bigbasket_com presents RCB Podcast Bold and Beyond.

Here’s a sneak peek. Full episode dropping soon… … pic.twitter.com/aUZOCf7yae

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 21, 2025

Jitesh Sharma talks about Virat Kohli

Jitesh also brought up a talk he had with the legendary batter for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the role Virat Kohli played in his performances. The 31-year-old stumper batsman talked about how Virat’s advice changed the way he approached the game.

“Virat Kohli is a dynamic individual who still knows how to play his game.” Then he said that it’s normal to feel like “this is not my day” before a match. You must somehow control your batting energy because you are not hitting the ball well. Try running hard and attempting to middle the ball. He taught me these little tips: relax, consider the game, and make a choice,” Jitesh continued.