Royal Challengers Bengaluru wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma revealed that his father died days before the start of India’s 2026 T20 World Cup campaign, and that being dropped from the team allowed him to spend his final days with him. Jitesh said he has no regrets about missing the World Cup, adding that he was lucky to be by his father’s side when he needed him the most.
Jitesh, who was India’s No. 2 wicketkeeper-batsman even until the Asia Cup last year, was left out of the T20 World Cup squad to accommodate an Ishan Kishan in top form. Incidentally, in Jitesh’s absence, India’s batsmen and wicketkeepers Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan played key roles in the team’s historic victory.
Speaking to PTI Videos, Jitesh said he was disappointed when he first heard the news of his omission, but later realized that his father needed his support more.
Jitesh was dropped alongside Shubman Gill as India opted to back two wicketkeepers in the top three for the T20 World Cup.
“When I heard the news, I was a little disappointed. I am also a human being, so at first I felt sad. But my family and friends supported me a lot and that sad phase became short. My father fell ill and passed away on February 1, and I was with him for seven days,” Jitesh said.
“Later I realized that my dad needed me more than the World Cup. After that, I have no regrets. I’m not angry or anything. I’m grateful to God for being able to be with him and take care of him in his last days.
IPL 2026 1st Phase: Schedule
“I enjoyed watching the World Cup from home, which is a very different and more stressful feeling than playing. I am very happy for the boys – they fulfilled the vision of the coach, the captain and the team since the Asia Cup. They kept their promise. They really worked hard to achieve this goal,” he said.
Despite being a mainstay in the national set-up in the run-up to the team’s announcement, Jitesh was eliminated from the final fifteen.
The decision, led by chief selector Ajit Agarkar and coach Gautam Gambhir, appeared to be a tactical change rather than a slight on Jitesh’s ability. Agarkar later clarified that the committee prioritized a goalkeeper who could provide cover at the top of the order. With Sanju Samson named as the primary option behind the stumps, the selectors opted for Kishan, whose fine form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy proved impossible to ignore, as the specialist back-up.
This maneuver allowed the team to find room for Rinku Singh’s explosive finale, a role for which Jitesh had been auditioning with varying success.
JITESH BEGINS PREPARATION FOR RCB’S RETURN
Jitesh Sharma has not played competitive cricket since his appearance for Baroda in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier domestic 50-over competition, in January.
However, the 32-year-old has started training for IPL 2026, where he will feature against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
“As for the preparation, I would like to say that the preparation is good. There was a small camp recently and everyone looks good,” he said.
:Our CEO said last year, after winning the trophy, that we are not defending; We are chasing the trophy. “So, I think it’s a very important statement on his part because while you’re defending, you’re on the defensive, but when it comes to chasing, you’re always going to be attacking.”
Jitesh played a key role in RCB’s maiden IPL triumph last year. He scored 261 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 176.35, playing the finisher’s role to perfection.
RCB will begin the defense of their title on the opening day of IPL 2026. The defending champions will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The IPL Governing Council on Wednesday announced the schedule for the first 20 matches of the IPL 2026 season, which will be played between March 28 and April 12.
– Finish
