Overview:
Out of respect, he tries to avoid intruding on Kohli’s personal space or disturbing him unnecessarily.
India’s wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma lived up to his hefty price tag by playing a crucial part in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) triumph. Jitesh has shared why he never revealed his humorous side to Virat Kohli in the dressing room.
“Jitesh is one really funny guy, but he hasn’t opened up with me. I’d love to see that fun, raw side of him because I can see the mischief in his eyes,” Kohli had said.
Jitesh had once expressed his dream of lifting the IPL trophy with “Virat bhai on his left and DK Anna on his right”. That dream became a reality when RCB defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) to finally claim the coveted title.
Jitesh Sharma revealed how much it means to him just to talk to Virat Kohli, acknowledging the former captain’s stature. Out of respect, he tries to avoid intruding on Kohli’s personal space or disturbing him unnecessarily.
“I come from a small town where we’re taught to deeply respect our seniors and never cross boundaries,” he told TimesofIndia.com.
“Mere liye unse baat karni hi badi baat hai. Mai jaanta hun ki Virat bhai ka stature, toh mai koshish karta that ki kyu hi unke personal space mey jau, kyu pareshaan karu (For me, even having a conversation with him feels like a huge honor. I’m well aware of Virat bhai’s stature, so I make sure to respect his space and avoid disturbing him without reason)
“I limited our conversations to cricket out of respect. I always kept a respectful distance and only approached him when I had something meaningful to discuss,” he added.
Jitesh Sharma proved vital as a finisher for RCB, displaying a variety of inventive shots. In 11 matches, he amassed 261 runs. He maintained an average of 37.28 and a strike rate of 176.35.