As Royal Challengers Bengaluru gear up to face Rajasthan Royals in a crucial IPL 2025 clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, all eyes are on skipper Rajat Patidar. While RCB have found success on the road, their home turf remains unconquered this season. They’ve lost all three of their games at Chinnaswamy so far, and the pressure is mounting to turn things around. Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma, speaking ahead of the contest, acknowledged that ending the home drought will be Patidar’s biggest test yet.
“There’s still one big challenge in front of him—securing our first win at Chinnaswamy this season,” Jitesh Sharma told JioStar. “But the belief in the camp is strong. Everyone’s backing Rajat.”
Rajat Patidar, known for his calm demeanour and understated presence, has impressed many in his first season as captain. Jitesh was full of praise for his skipper, particularly highlighting how approachable and composed he is under pressure.
ALSO READ: Sachin Tendulkar Reveals Rare Insights From His Memorable Chat With Sir Don Bradman
“Rajat’s incredibly grounded. You wouldn’t even know he’s the captain until we’re out on the field. That’s his strength—he stays calm and thinks clearly. When I go up to him with suggestions as a keeper, he doesn’t just nod; he asks questions, wants to understand the situation better. That open-mindedness is rare and has made a big difference this season.”
Jitesh himself has enjoyed a quiet resurgence in 2025. After a lacklustre run with Punjab Kings last year, he’s now scored 101 runs at a strike rate of 140.28 in eight matches. He credits much of his improvement to his rapport with senior pro Dinesh Karthik.
“I’ve finally found someone I can really connect with in DK Anna (Dinesh Karthik),” Jitesh Sharma said. “He’s played this exact role for India and in the IPL—batting lower down, under pressure. Not many understand the demands of that role, but DK does. We’re on the same wavelength. He’s helped me find clarity, especially about decision-making in crunch moments.”
WATCH – RR Coach Jokingly ‘Assaults’ Shimron Hetmyer After Dropped Catch During Training
He also emphasized how rare it is to find someone who has succeeded consistently at No. 6, pointing out that such insights aren’t easy to come by. “In other teams, especially bigger ones, finishers get more structure. Here, I’ve got both freedom and mentorship.”
As RCB prepare for another must-win, Jitesh’s form and confidence, along with Patidar’s cool leadership, could be the key ingredients to finally breaking their home curse.
