IPL 2026: Jitesh Sharma's Bold Remarks Ahead of Season Opener

As the IPL 2026 season approaches, Jitesh Sharma of RCB makes headlines with his remarks about the teams yet to win the trophy. Having played a vital role in RCB's previous title victory, Sharma's comments hint at a competitive spirit as they prepare to defend their championship. Discover more about his performance and insights ahead of the season opener against SRH.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 26, 2026, 18:07 IST

IPL 2026 Kicks Off with RCB vs SRH

The 19th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to commence on March 28, 2026 (Saturday). The opening match will see the reigning champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), face off against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. A pivotal player for RCB in their quest to defend their title is wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma. Prior to joining RCB in 2025, Jitesh was part of the Punjab Kings from 2022 to 2024. Ahead of IPL 2026, he has made some pointed comments regarding his former team.

During a recent podcast with Ranveer Allahbadia, Jitesh was asked about the teams that have yet to secure an IPL trophy, which now only includes Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants, following RCB's victory last year. Ranveer remarked, “Abhi bas Punjab, Delhi, LSG, yeh teen team bachi hain (Now just Punjab, Delhi, LSG are left to win).” To this, Jitesh responded with a sly remark, saying, “Bachi rahengi (They will stay left out).” This comment was a subtle jab at the three franchises, including his former team, Punjab Kings. However, he quickly clarified that he meant RCB would retain their title this season.

Jitesh Sharma's Impact in IPL 2025

In IPL 2025, Jitesh Sharma excelled in the finisher role for RCB, playing a crucial part in the team's first title-winning campaign. He accumulated 261 runs at an impressive strike rate of 176 throughout the season. In the final match, he contributed a rapid 24 runs off just 10 balls, helping RCB set a formidable total of 190, which the Punjab Kings were unable to chase down.