Jitesh Sharma Asserts RCB IPL 2025 Title ‘Not A One-Year Thing’, Eyes Long-Term Dominance

Jitesh Sharma vows sustained dominance after RCB’s IPL 2025 title, reflecting on personal struggles, growth, and future ambitions.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma has made it clear that the franchise’s IPL 2025 triumph is just the beginning of a bigger journey. Speaking on the RCB Podcast, Sharma emphasised that the team is aiming for sustained success rather than a one-off achievement.

“This is not a one-year thing. We are here to dominate. I want to prove that what happened last season was not a one-off,” Sharma said.

Looking back at the historic campaign, he described the victory as a deeply fulfilling milestone.

“Winning the first trophy for RCB was a magical feeling. The biggest satisfaction was knowing that I had contributed to it. That is a moment I will always be proud of,” Sharma added.

Personal Challenges and Emotional Strength

Sharma also opened up about the emotional impact of losing his father, admitting that it remains a constant presence in his life.

“When you lose your father, that void never really goes away. I am not trying to forget it. I want to carry that emotion with me and keep moving forward. I am proud that my father saw me wear the India jersey and saw me lift the trophy for RCB. That means everything to me,” he added.

Returning to the RCB setup after a challenging phase helped him rediscover his rhythm. “When I walked back into Chinnaswamy and saw the red and blue again, I felt reborn. Being back in that environment made me feel like myself again,” Sharma noted.

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Growth, Role Clarity and Future Goals

The 30-year-old credited Dinesh Karthik for playing a crucial role in his development over the past year.

“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. 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.”

On his approach to batting, Sharma highlighted simplicity as the key.

“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. I do not see myself only as a wicketkeeper now. I see myself as a finisher and a fielder as well. My job is to find a way into the team, whatever role that requires,” he explained.

Looking ahead to the new season, he is ready to embrace the added pressure of being defending champions.

“Teams will come harder at us this season, and that excites me. I enjoy that challenge. I want people to come hard at me, because I will come hard at them too,” he concluded.