IPL 2025: "He believes I can play 360 degree.." Jitesh Sharma hails Dinesh Karthik for turnaround in T20 cricket

RCB bought Jitesh Sharma for INR 11 crores at the IPL 2025 mega auction.

Jitesh Sharma is part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. After his wonderful batting show in the initial few games, the wicket-keeper batter has now hailed RCB mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik for his guidance ahead of the season.

Notably, Karthik was part of RCB in the previous IPL season. However, he retired from all forms of cricket after the tournament. Later, he took the over as RCB’s mentor and batting coach ahead of IPL 2025. Karthik was the first-choice wicket keeper for RCB in the last season.

Dinesh Karthik believes I can play 360 degrees: Jitesh Sharma

RCB bought wicket-keeper batter Sharma for a whopping INR 11 crores at IPL 2025 mega auction. Sharma shares a similar profile to Karthik – a wicket-keeper batter who bats in the lower order.

During a chat with ESPN Cricinfo, Sharma hailed Karthik for developing him into a 360-degree player. He also added that Karthik wants to make him a replica of him.

“It’s been a great journey till now because in the off-season, I really worked hard with him. I think whichever shot I am playing right now is a replica of what he used to play. He is trying to create a new player in me, because he believes that I can play 360 degrees. I am really enjoying myself in this new role,” Sharma said.

“While I am playing those shots, I am very happy because I have never tried those shots. And I am going to execute thanks to all the backing they give me. It’s been a wonderful journey which I am still excited about,” the RCB wicket-keeper further added.

Meanwhile, Sharma has scored 85 runs across three innings at a strike rate of 184.78 batting in the lower order. The 31-year-old slammed a quickfire 40 runs in RCB’s last match against Mumbai Indians (MI). Sharma also scored crucial 33 runs in an earlier game against Gujarat Titans (GT).

Rajat Patidar-led RCB have impressed with their performance at the start, winning three games out of four. They have six points and are currently placed third spot in IPL 2025 points table. The IPL 2016 runners-up will face Delhi Capitals (DC) in their next clash of the tournament. The encounter will be played on Thursday, April 10 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

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