Jitesh Sharma, acquired by RCB for ₹11 crores, expressed confidence, stating it’s not about pressure but an opportunity to showcase his skills. He emphasized staying focused on his game, valuing the trust shown by the franchise, and aiming to contribute meaningfully to the team’s success in the upcoming season.
Jitesh Sharma has played 40 games in his IPL career.
Jitesh Sharma stole the spotlight at the IPL 2025 mega auction, securing a massive deal with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for an impressive INR 11 crores.
The dynamic wicket-keeper batter, previously with Punjab Kings (PBKS), experienced a remarkable salary jump from INR 20 lakhs to INR 11 crores. Known for his explosive performances in the T20 format, Jitesh has consistently impressed with a stellar strike rate of 151 over recent seasons.
RCB, seeking a successor to veteran wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik, made an aggressive bid to secure Jitesh Sharma. While PBKS utilized their Right to Match (RTM) card at ₹7 crores, RCB surpassed them with an impressive ₹11-crore offer to bring the talented wicket-keeper batter into their ranks.
Jitesh, who had stepped up as captain for PBKS in a few matches last season during the absence of Shikhar Dhawan and Sam Curran, recently shared his excitement and thoughts on joining RCB at such a significant price tag.
Jitesh Sharma on joining RCB for 11 crores
In an exclusive interview with The Times of India, Indian wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma dismissed the idea of feeling pressured by the hefty price tag attached to him. Instead, he sees it as an added motivation to excel.
“Whatever price is on my head doesn’t matter to me. I just want to play cricket—that’s it,” Jitesh said. “It doesn’t create pressure; rather, it gives me a sense of challenge and excitement. Knowing that I am valued at ₹11 crore has boosted my confidence instead of weighing me down. The faith RCB has shown in me makes me even more eager to perform.”
The 31-year-old shared his thoughts on the electrifying atmosphere brought to life by RCB fans. Expressing his excitement, he said, “I can’t wait to play in front of the fans. Right now, I’m in Vizag, and I can already sense their passion and unwavering loyalty towards RCB. When I step onto the field to bat, hearing the chants of ‘RCB, RCB, RCB!’ fills me with energy. The enthusiasm and madness of these fans are unparalleled. It’s going to be an incredible experience, and I’m absolutely thrilled to perform in front of them.”