RCB Wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma Addresses T20 World Cup Exclusion and the Grief of Losing His Father

Royal Challengers Bengaluru wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma recently addressed the dual emotional challenges of missing India’s 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad and the sudden death of his father. Acquired by RCB for the upcoming Indian Premier League season, the 32-year-old provided a candid assessment of his career trajectory and personal life during a recent interview.

Navigating the T20 World Cup Snub

Sharma was a strong contender for the wicketkeeper slot leading up to the global tournament, competing against Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ultimately selected Samson and Pant, leaving Sharma out of the final 15-player roster.

“When I got the news of my non-selection, I was a little bit disheartened. I am also a human. I can feel sad and bad. But later on, as time went by, the sad time becomes short,” Sharma stated. He maintained a positive outlook for his teammates and watched the tournament from home, noting the intense pressure associated with competing at the global level.

A Deep Personal Loss

The professional disappointment was overshadowed by a severe personal tragedy. Sharma’s father, Mohan Sharma, passed away on February 1 following a brief illness. Sharma stepped away from professional commitments to spend seven days with his father before his passing.

“Afterward, I got to know that my dad needed me more than the World Cup. After that, I didn’t have any sad feeling, any regret or anything for anyone or for myself,” Sharma explained. As the eldest son, he immediately assumed the primary decision-making responsibilities for his mother, brother, and extended family.

Sharma acknowledges the permanent impact of the loss, admitting that grief settles gradually. He uses his father’s work ethic as motivation to return to the field, drawing parallels with his national teammate Rinku Singh, who also demonstrated significant emotional strength returning to professional cricket following personal setbacks.

Embracing the RCB Role and Learning from Virat Kohli

Looking ahead to the IPL 2025 season, Sharma is focused on his new role with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He remains highly pragmatic about team combinations. When asked about the possibility of multiple wicketkeepers operating in the same playing XI, Sharma expressed a willingness to adapt, suggesting a system where two keepers play standard roles while a third operates specifically as a lower-order finisher.

At RCB, Sharma has the opportunity to observe former India captain Virat Kohli directly. Sharma noted that studying Kohli’s daily preparation offers direct insights for his own game development.

“Just observing small things, you can learn a lot. Because the way he prepares, starts his day, not just practice, I think it’s very impressive. Still, I’m 32 and I can’t match his energy,” Sharma observed.

Jitesh Sharma: Career Overview

To understand Sharma’s position in the national setup, here is a look at his T20 International and IPL statistics prior to the upcoming season:

Key Takeaways for RCB Fans

• Emotional Resilience: Sharma publicly committed to using his father’s memory as motivation for his professional cricket career.
• Role Flexibility: The wicketkeeper-batter is actively preparing to operate as a specialized finisher, giving RCB management tactical flexibility.
• Mentorship: Sharma is currently modifying his training and preparation routines based on Virat Kohli’s established systems.