‘DK Anna Modified My Sport’: Jitesh Sharma On His Bond & Evolution With Dinesh Karthik

Bengaluru (Karnataka): The crew’s mentor and one of many franchise’s most revered veterans. Since becoming a member of RCB throughout final season’s mega public sale for a hefty ₹11 crore, Jitesh has stepped into the finisher’s position and turn into an important a part of the center order.

A key consider his clean transition into the RCB setup, Jitesh revealed, has been his mentorship beneath Karthik—a fellow wicketkeeper-batter who has walked an analogous path in each home and worldwide cricket.

“I’ve lastly discovered somebody I actually join with—somebody who thinks like me, and I relate to him in each means. That individual is DK Anna (Dinesh Karthik). He is been an enormous motive why I really feel snug and settled right here. He’s carried out in the identical position for India and within the IPL, and our conversations simply stream naturally. We perceive one another,” Jitesh mentioned in an interview on JioHotstar’s particular sequence.

Jitesh emphasised how uncommon it’s to have significant conversations with somebody who has excelled at batting within the decrease center order—a task few have mastered. “Often, the gamers who succeed at No. 6 play for dominant groups just like the Chennai Tremendous Kings. However now, I get each day entry to DK, who has not solely been in my sneakers but in addition is aware of what it takes to succeed.”

Regardless that Jitesh had some freedom in his earlier IPL franchise, the publicity and progress he’s skilled at RCB have been vital. His stats—101 runs from eight matches this season—may appear modest, however they do not absolutely replicate the influence he’s made in essential moments and the technical progress he’s undergone beneath Karthik’s mentorship.

One of many greatest shifts has been Karthik’s affect on Jitesh’s approach and mindset.

“DK has pushed me out of my consolation zone. I’ve all the time had sure pictures in my recreation, however I lacked the arrogance to make use of them as a result of earlier coaches most well-liked a textbook method. My power has all the time been hitting within the ‘V’, however DK inspired me to discover extra and use my pure hand actions.”

Jitesh, all the time desirous to study, appreciates the possibility to develop beneath somebody who understands his recreation so properly.

“My mentality is easy—if there’s an opportunity to enhance, why not take it? DK believed in my potential, and that has made me imagine in it too. It’s nonetheless early, however I’m evolving—and that is only the start.”