Jitesh Credits Karthik for Recent Turnaround

Playing for Punjab Kings in IPL 2024, Jitesh Sharma had an underwhelming season registering five single digit scores in twelve innings. He's already had an impact in RCB's improved batting show with a couple of cameos in the middle-order, and none more impactful than the 19-ball 40 he had against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede in their previous game.

Jitesh credits RCB's mentor and batting coach, Dinesh Karthik, largely for the turnaround he's had so far. Karthik told Jitesh that it's a human error, not rocket science, and that he's lacking in some shots. He's worked on that and has created an additional niche for himself as one of the most destructive finishers with a strike-rate of 192.07 between overs 16 and 20 in the IPL.

Jitesh is one of four Indian batters with a sample size of 100-plus innings to have a strike-rate of over 150 in all T20 cricket. He's created a new role for himself with RCB's requirements after Karthik's retirement, and Karthik's work with him has helped the batter look at his own game in new light.

Jitesh's form requires course-correction, but Karthik's work has helped him see his game in a new light. Jitesh is enjoying playing in a new role and is happy to execute shots he's never tried before. His confidence relies on his process and how he trains in practice, not just the score.

In the 40* he got against MI, Jitesh was nearly single-handedly responsible for taking out one half of MI's death bowling in Trent Boult. He scored 24 off the eight balls he faced from the left-arm seamer in the last five overs, helping RCB register their second-highest total at the Wankhede and proving decisive in a close finish.

Jitesh believes that the increased aggression in batting is grounded in smart thinking, not just blindly trying to dominate every bowler. The team knows each other's strengths and has a strategy in place, with Jitesh going after certain bowlers.