“We Don’t Give Them Importance”: RCB’s Jitesh Sharma Delivers Blunt Assessment of Pakistan Cricket Team
India wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma has generated significant attention following his blunt evaluation of the Pakistan cricket team. Speaking on a recent podcast, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finisher dismissed the traditional intensity of the India-Pakistan rivalry, stating that the Indian dressing room no longer views their arch-rivals as a primary competitive threat.
Dismissing the India-Pakistan Hype
In a conversation on the Ranveer Show podcast, Sharma addressed the mental preparation required for high-stakes international matches. When asked if Indian players still experience heightened emotions when facing Pakistan, his response was direct.
“We don’t give them so much importance. We don’t take it to our hearts and minds,” Sharma stated. According to the wicketkeeper, composure dictates outcomes in international fixtures, and treating the opposition like any other team is standard procedure under the current BCCI setup.
Sharma identified two other nations as superior tactical challenges for the Indian squad:
- Australia: Regarded as a constant multi-format threat.
- South Africa: Highlighted for their consistent high-level performances.
“South Africa and Australia are challenging teams because they play good cricket,” Sharma explained. “These guys [Pakistan] are not playing good cricket right now.”
Gautam Gambhir’s Tactical Directives
The pragmatic mindset currently permeating the Indian dressing room stems directly from head coach Gautam Gambhir. Known for his intense but calculated approach to the game, Gambhir strictly prohibits emotional decision-making on the field.
Sharma revealed Gambhir’s specific instructions before matches against Pakistan: “We don’t have to play with emotion. If we play with emotion, we might lose. Let’s win the game, and whatever expressions we want to show, we will do it afterward.”
Comparing India’s T20 Matchups
Sharma’s assessment aligns with recent tournament data. India’s recent fixtures against Australia and South Africa have frequently decided major International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament outcomes, requiring higher tactical execution than recent matches against Pakistan.
| Opponent | Perceived Threat Level (Per Player Assessment) | Recent Major Matchup |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | High | T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8s |
| South Africa | High | T20 World Cup 2024 Final |
| Pakistan | Low to Moderate | T20 World Cup 2024 Group Stage |
On-Field Retaliation and Asia Cup Tensions
Despite the team’s directive to remain stoic during play, isolated incidents of on-field friction persist. Sharma recalled a specific confrontation during an Asia Cup fixture involving Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed. According to Sharma, Ahmed directed an aggressive send-off toward Indian batter Sanju Samson.
“He did that after dismissing Sanju, and we didn’t like it, so we gave it back,” Sharma detailed, explaining why he, alongside fast bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, later mimicked Ahmed’s celebration in retaliation.
Looking Ahead to the IPL Season
Sharma’s comments surface just as franchises finalize their preparations for the upcoming season. Expected to operate as a primary finisher for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sharma will bring this aggressive, unapologetic mindset to the domestic circuit. RCB is scheduled to face Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opening match, marking the beginning of a highly anticipated official IPL campaign where Sharma aims to solidify his position in the national selectors’ framework as reported by ESPNcricinfo.