"Pulled Me Out Of My Comfort Zone": RCB Star Opens Up On Working With Dinesh Karthik

Royal Challengers Bengaluru wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma credited mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik for encouraging him to back his natural ability in the IPL 2025 season. Jitesh was acquired by RCB for Rs 11 crore in last year's auction following his heroics with Punjab Kings in the last three seasons. His addition is a boost for RCB's batting depth in the season as the batter has delivered so far with cameo knocks in the death overs. Reflecting on Karthik's influence on his mindset, Jitesh acknowledged the former India wicketkeeper's contribution to his batting form.

“DK has pulled me out of my comfort zone and into a new space I haven't been in before. I've always had certain shots in my arsenal, but I didn't believe in them. I never worked on them because previous coaches would say, ‘Go straight, play this way, play that way.' It's true that hitting sixes in the ‘V' is my strength, but I always wanted to learn more. My mindset is - if someone is teaching and I can add a new skill, why not? DK told me to use my natural hand movement and encouraged me to try it. They picked me for those abilities, so they saw something. DK saw something, and that's how things are evolving now. This is just the beginning," he said on JioHotstar's series “Gen Bold”.

Jitesh further added that Karthik's presence makes him feel settled in the franchise as the veteran matches his wavelength.

"I think I've finally found someone I can truly work with - someone I can learn from, someone who matches my wavelength, and I match his. Someone who is just like me. And that someone is D.K. Anna (Dinesh Karthik). He is one of the biggest reasons I feel settled. He has played the same role for the Indian team and in the IPL too. I'm very