'Special cricketer' Jitesh Sharma worked really hard in off-season: RCB mentor Dinesh Karthik

Jitesh Sharma mesmerised the cricket fraternity after playing a stunning knock against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Tuesday, May 28, helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) win an important clash at the Ekana Cricket Stadium.

Chasing 228, RCB lost Virat Kohli in the 12th over for 123 runs. They needed 105 runs from 52 deliveries with six wickets in hand. Jitesh started his innings straight in the sixth gear, slamming the LSG bowlers all around the park. He eventually finished unbeaten on 85 off 33 balls, hitting eight fours and six sixes, as RCB romped home with six wickets and eight balls to spare.

RCB batting coach and mentor Dinesh Karthik described Jitesh as a special cricketer and revealed how hard he has been working in the off-season, focusing on remaining calm while chasing big targets. The former India wicketkeeper-batter said that Jitesh backed his skills and delivered in a crucial fixture, taking RCB to Qualifier 1.

"Jitesh Sharma is a special cricketer. He worked really hard in the off-season. He's put in a lot of work to understand how to chase big totals and how to stay calm in those kinds of situations," Karthik said during a post-match interaction with JioStar.

"Today was a great example of what happens when you back your skills and, more importantly, trust the shots you know. It's also about delivering in big moments," he added.

Sometimes, as a player and a leader, you need your senior players to step up: Dinesh Karthik

Karthik said that it was great to see Jitesh take responsibility and guide RCB to a record run-chase. The 31-year-old scored his first half-century in his IPL career in his 46th innings.

"Sometimes, as a player and a leader, you need your senior players to step up. He's played a lot of cameos, but today it was great to see him get that fifty-and more importantly, stay not out and take us across the line," Karthik said.

RCB will now face Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Thursday, May 29, in Qualifier 1.