IPL 2025: Jitesh Sharma reveals which teams he wants to play for if PBKS don't retain him

Jitesh Sharma scored 187 runs in 14 matches for Punjab Kings in IPL 2024.

India wicket-keeper batter Jitesh Sharma has named two franchises he would love to be part of if his current team, Punjab Kings (PBKS), don’t retain him for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 edition.

The Punjab-based franchise acquired Jitesh Sharma for INR 20 lakhs at the IPL 2022 auction. Since then, Sharma has played a superb role as finisher for the franchise. The keeper-batter has played 40 matches and scored 730 runs at a brilliant strike rate of 151.14 in the IPL.

Jitesh’s brilliant performance in IPL 2022, where he scored 234 at a strike rate of 163.64, followed by an impressive 2023 season, smashing 309 runs at a strike rate of 156.06, helped him earn a place in the Indian national side in the T20Is.

The 30-year-old then made his T20I debut against Nepal in the Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition in 2023.

I would prefer to play for CSK or MI in the IPL: Jitesh Sharma

Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, PBKS keeper-batter Jitesh Sharma revealed that he would prefer to play for the Chennai Super Kings or Mumbai Indians in the IPL if not retained by PBKS. Jitesh was bought by the Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2016 edition. The batter was then retained in 2017, but never got a chance to play a single match for MI.

“Let’s see. If I am in their plans, they will retain me; otherwise, they won’t because I have not received any communication yet from Punjab Kings. If you ask me personally then I would prefer to play for CSK or MI,” Jitesh Sharma said to TOI.

“I have experienced the MI atmosphere, and I love Wankhede because, as a Maharashtrian, it has always been close to my heart. During my younger days, I watched matches at Wankhede and sat outside, feeling the vibe. I want to experience that feeling while playing inside the stadium for Mumbai Indians,” Jitesh added.

The 30-year-old also talked about his desire to represent CSK because of legendary MS Dhoni and his good friendship with current Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.

“I would like to play for Chennai Super Kings because of Mahi bhai and because Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK captain) is my good friend and I enjoy playing under him the same way I enjoy playing under Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) bhai,” Jitesh concluded.

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