Ever since I became a finisher, I never got a chance to make fifty: Jitesh Sharma

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) wicket-keeper batter Jitesh Sharma reveals how the finishing role in the tournament has changed his approach in the game. The 31-year-old batter is still looking forward to scoring crucial runs for his team as the game progresses.

The RCB franchise has had a great season so far, and though there have been some great performances from some players, there have been some underrated performances from players like Jitesh Sharma. The Vidarbha batter might not be amongst the runs but has still made crucial contributions in the six matches he has played, striking at 154.38 in the tournament.

Jitesh is now the designated finisher within the team and has revealed how his mindset and approach have changed as soon as this role was given to him. Jitesh has also mentioned that since it is tough to score 50+ runs because of coming down the batting order he is now treating 30-40 run innings as milestones.

“Now, everyone seems to be a finisher. But it's a difficult job to bat at No 6, No 7 because ever since I started finishing, I haven't scored a fifty. I was an opener. Earlier, I used to score fifties and centuries, I used to enjoy raising my bat when I reached a milestone. But ever since I became a finisher, I never got a chance to make a fifty. (It has mostly been)10 balls, 30 runs. 20 balls, 40 runs,” Jitesh said in the latest episode of RCB Bold Diaries.

“These scores have become 50 for us. If you do 60–70 in 30 balls, it's like a 100. And I am happy, very happy doing. If the team wins, Your mind definitely gets tired. The advantage is that you can control the game from there. You get an idea about what your team's bowlers can do on a wicket. You can read other big batters; that's also an advantage when a new batsman takes four to six balls, he understands the wicket. I understand that in two balls, because I've kept the wicket before. I stay involved for 240 balls. That's the fun of cricket for me,” he added.

He is always hungry to learn: Karthik

RCB batting coach and mentor Dinesh Karthik had praised Jitesh as well and mentioned how fun it is to work with him. Karthik also revealed how hungry he is to learn from the coaching staff and how much work he is putting into his game as well.

“He is always hungry to learn. He's like, ‘What can I do?' He calls me Anna. Those conversations have been very positive. He is at that stage where he's willing to try anything I say. So it's very fun like that. If I work with him for a year or two, I feel that I can touch the limits (with Jitesh),” Karthik said as quoted by NDTV Sports.