Ravichandran Ashwin Raises Concerns Over Jitesh Sharma Form Ahead of RCB vs KKR
The Playoff Push: RCB’s Path Forward
As the race for the IPL playoffs intensifies, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) find themselves in a commanding position. Sitting second on the points table with seven wins from eleven matches and boasting an impressive net run rate, the defending champions remain a formidable force. However, even a winning side must grapple with internal hurdles, and former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes he has identified the one weakness that could derail their campaign.
While the team’s overall performance has been laudable, the form of wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma has become a subject of intense scrutiny. Despite being a pivotal figure in RCB’s 2025 title triumph, Sharma has struggled significantly during the 2026 season, failing to replicate his previous success.
The Statistical Struggle of Jitesh Sharma
The numbers behind Jitesh Sharma’s slump are difficult to ignore. Across 11 matches and 9 innings, the batter has managed a mere 82 runs. His average has dipped to a concerning 9.11, accompanied by a strike rate of 115.49—a far cry from the aggressive, game-changing approach fans have come to expect. With a highest score of just 23, and only 6 fours and 5 sixes in 71 balls faced, the lack of boundary-hitting capability has left a visible gap in the middle order.
Reflecting on these challenges in an interview with ESPNCricinfo, Ravichandran Ashwin provided a candid assessment: “Look, RCB have one issue, which I think is Jitesh Sharma’s form. He was an incumbent keeper-batsman for India, and he’s lost his place. The entry point of Jitesh Sharma is something that they don’t have too many choices with. Because everyone in the top four is scoring runs, including Patidar.”
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Despite the individual struggles of Sharma, Ashwin remains confident in the collective strength of the squad. He pointed to their recent performance against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as evidence of their grit. Chasing a high total, RCB found themselves in a precarious position at 100 for 4, yet they pushed the game to the wire. For Ashwin, this proved that the team possesses the depth and mental fortitude to remain in the hunt, regardless of one player’s form.
“I’m thinking they’re still a very good side,” Ashwin noted. “They’ve got options. I think they can also mull around the option, if Phil Salt is not going to be coming back. They’ve still got some options to beef up that bowling. Maybe Jacob Duffy is also coming in to supplement the seam attack. I don’t suggest they do that, but they are sitting in a very, very pretty place at this point of time.”
Looking Ahead: The Clash Against KKR
As RCB prepares for their upcoming encounter against the 2024 champions, the Kolkata Knight Riders, the narrative remains focused on self-belief. The match, scheduled for May 13th at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium in Raipur, serves as RCB’s final designated home game. With a comfortable buffer in the points table, the team is in a prime position to secure a playoff spot, whereas KKR faces a much steeper climb.
Ashwin’s advice for the RCB management is simple yet profound: don’t panic. “I think they will get through. If you look at the inside part of RCB, what would they be telling themselves? They won a title, they’re looking like a strong side. To me, RCB are going to be telling themselves, ‘We are still a great shout to try and defend this title. Why really fix something that isn’t broken?'”
Ultimately, the challenge for RCB lies in maintaining their momentum without succumbng to external pressure. While the form of Jitesh Sharma remains a talking point, the team’s track record as defending champions suggests they are more than capable of navigating these rough waters as they set their sights on another trophy.
