“Have To Score To Get Selected”: Jitesh Sharma Reflects On His Mindset For T20 World Cup Selection

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the leading carrier, Jiteh Sharma, expressed the pressure he felt to perform well in the Indian Premier (IPL) 2024 in order to be selected for the World Cup. He admitted that he was playing with his mind last year and did not focus on the game itself. “Last year, because of the selection of the World Cup, I was not present in IPL. So, in each match, I thought I must score, I must mark to be selected in the World Cup. I am not ashamed to accept it. I am a human. A human can make mistakes, and I have no problem with that.

He described how Dinesh Karthik became his mentor after the IPL auction. Karthik admitted that Sharma thought too much and offered mental support, encouraging him to focus on his strengths and implement his advice in the Syed Mushtaq tournament.

“Then I talked to DK [Dinesh Karthik]And I told him that it was the things I played in my mind. My work with DK started after the auction. As soon as the auction was finished, I received a call from him. He said that this year, I think so much for you that I know your strength. So he spoke mentally. When Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq played, he said that everything I say, try to do it in the matches, “he added.

Jiteh Sharma was bought for the first time in IPL by the Mumbai Indians in 2016 and kept in 2017, but he had no match with them. He was again bought at IPL 2022 auctions by the Kings of Punjab, and he made an impression as a finisher. Jitesh scored 234 points at a typing rate of 163.64 in the IPL 2022 and followed it with an impressive season in 2023, accumulating 309 points at a typing rate of 156.06. His performances as a finisher earned him his T20I debut.

RCB chose it before the 2025 IPL auction for RS11 crores. Until now, in four games, he has scored 85 points with an average of 42.50 and a typing rate of 184.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru should face the capitals of Delhi in the 24th 2025 IPL match on April 10 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. RCB is still looking for her first home victory, even if she sealed the victories in the three games outside the competition so far.

(With the exception of the title, this story has not been published by NDTV staff and is published from a unionized flow.)