IPL 2025 mega auction: RCB splash 11 crores to sign wicket-keeper Jitesh Sharma

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

Hailing from Maharashtra, wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma made his debut for Vidarbha in domestic cricket in 2014 but the right-hander wasn’t a consistent member of the side in his initial years.

He’s been getting regular chances in recent years and has made the most of his opportunities. What has stood out with Jitesh in white-ball cricket has been his fearlessness and elite intent, something which was a factor in getting his maiden T20I call-up in 2023.

After a couple of impressive Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons in 2022 and 2023 for Punjab Kings (PBKS), during which Jitesh batted with strike rates north of 150, he got to make his T20I debut for India in October 2023.

However, Jitesh couldn’t utilise his chances with the national side. In seven innings, he scored 100 runs with a best of 35 and had a healthy strike rate of 147. He slid down in the back-up keeper’s role after that.

Jitesh Sharma sold to RCB for INR 11 crore

RCB spent INR 11 crore on Jitesh Sharma in the mega auction to purchase him. LSG, CSK, and DC were other franchises who bid for Jitesh but RCB managed to buy the keeper-batsman.

Jitesh Sharma previously in the IPL

Jitesh was with the Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2016 and 2017 seasons. However, he didn’t get to play a single game for MI and was released.

He wasn’t part of the IPL for the next four seasons before Punjab Kings (PBKS) bought him in the IPL 2022 mega auction for INR 2 crore. Jitesh impressed everyone with his intent and power-hitting.

In IPL 2022, he scored 234 runs at a strike rate of 163 and in IPL 2023, he smashed 309 runs at 156. However, his form fell off last season, where he managed 187 runs at a strike rate of 131 and was released.

Overall, Jitesh Sharma has scored 730 runs in 40 IPL matches at a strike rate of 151.

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