Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma opened up about the key influence behind his recent growth, crediting batting coach and mentor Dinesh Karthik for guiding him.
Speaking on the RCB Podcast, Jitesh highlighted how Karthik’s mentorship extended beyond technical advice — it was responsible for the massive transformation he underwent and helped shape both his mindset and approach to the game.
“A lot of the credit for my growth goes to DK ‘anna’. He helped me understand my game better, use my strengths properly and improve mentally,” Jitesh mentioned.
The 30-year-old emphasised that Karthik’s role was not limited to giving inputs on the field. At a time when the expectations of professional cricket can take a toll on one’s mental health, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter urged Jitesh to prioritise his mental well-being.
Jitesh mentioned, “DK asked me to take a break, put the bat away for a while and spend time with my family and friends. That helped me reset.”
Speaking on his batting approach, Jitesh explained that his philosophy has become far more straightforward.
“For me, it comes down to one thing: watch the ball. If you are present and watching the ball well, everything else takes care of itself,” he remarked.
However, Jitesh had a disappointing outing against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their IPL 2026 opener, getting out for a golden duck, but RCB registered a dominating win.
Follow RevSportz for latest sports news