Jitesh Sharma Discusses Challenges of Defending VPL Title Ahead of New Season

Jitesh Sharma Prepares for VPL Season 2

Nagpur (Maharashtra) - As the Vidarbha Premier League (VPL) approaches, Jitesh Sharma, the captain of the NECO Master Blaster and reigning T20 champions, shared his insights on the unique pressures of title defense, the mindset necessary for success, and his expectations for the upcoming season.

Having guided his team to victory last season, Jitesh acknowledges that defending a championship presents a distinct mental hurdle compared to pursuing one.

“When you’re defending a title, it adds an extra layer of pressure and attention on winning the cup. In contrast, when you’re chasing a trophy, you’re focused on strategizing your next move. This shift in mindset is crucial,” Jitesh explained.

He elaborated, “While aiming for victory, the focus is on winning the game. However, when defending a title, the thought shifts to not wanting to lose it. This difference in perspective can significantly impact your approach.”

To replicate last season's success, the wicketkeeper-batter emphasized the need for consistency and discipline within the team.

“It’s about repeatedly executing the same fundamental tasks,” Jitesh noted, highlighting the importance of a steady approach to achieving sustained success.

As the captain, he conveyed a powerful message to his teammates for Season 2, stressing the significance of freedom, fearlessness, and mutual trust within the team environment.

“Be yourself and fearless. Regardless of your performance, I will support you and trust that your decisions on the field are for the team's benefit. Even if you fail, I’ll stand by you. If you succeed, you’ll still get my praise,” he stated.

Jitesh also mentioned that his focus extends beyond mere results; he aims for players to grow both as cricketers and individuals throughout the tournament.

“My goal is simple: I want players to improve by 2% or 3% during this league. I’m not setting high expectations; I just want them to show a 10% improvement by the end of the tournament, both personally and as cricketers,” he said.

“Instead of fixating on performance, they should strive to be more skilled, mentally resilient, and physically fit. I hope they become more courageous in taking risks during this league,” Jitesh added.

The NECO Master Blaster will enter the VPL T20 2026 season as the defending champions, boasting a robust squad that combines seasoned players with promising young talent. Additionally, the franchise's women's team is also set to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.

Men's Team Roster:

Jitesh Sharma, Adhyayan Daga, Aryan Meshram, Shanmesh Deshmukh, Ananmay Jayaswal, Vedant Dighade, Vaibhav Chandekar, Abhishek Gupta, Shantanu Rajput, Dipesh Parwani, Harsh Dubey, Avinash Jadhav, Arya Durugkar, Gaurav Dhoble, Gaurav Farde, Kush Khandelwal.