Jitesh Sharma Faces Criticism After RCB's Defeat to Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026
RCB's Struggles Against Gujarat Titans
In the IPL 2026 match held on April 30 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma found himself under intense scrutiny following yet another disappointing performance. RCB, batting first after being put in by Gujarat Titans' captain Shubman Gill, was dismissed for a mere 155 runs in 19.2 overs.
Devdutt Padikkal was the standout performer for RCB, scoring 40 runs off 24 balls. Other contributors included Virat Kohli with 28 runs, Rajat Patidar with 19, and Venkatesh Iyer with 12. However, these efforts were insufficient to set a competitive total.
On the bowling side, Arshad Khan was exceptional for GT, taking 3 wickets for 22 runs in 6.2 overs, while Jason Holder and Rashid Khan each claimed two wickets, showcasing a disciplined bowling performance.
Jitesh Sharma's Ongoing Batting Issues
While Jason Holder's controversial catch of Rajat Patidar drew some attention, the focus quickly shifted back to Jitesh Sharma, whose batting struggles continued to be a major concern for RCB. Despite being a designated wicketkeeper-batter in all nine matches this season, Jitesh has failed to make a significant impact.
His scores in the first four matches were dismal: 0, 5, 10, and 23 against various teams. In the subsequent three matches, he managed only 14, 10, and 1 runs. Overall, he has accumulated just 63 runs in seven innings, averaging a mere 9.
Fan Backlash Over Jitesh's Performance
Jitesh's repeated failures have sparked significant backlash on social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter). Fans have expressed their frustration, attributing RCB's struggles to his poor form in the middle order. Many criticized his previous comments on AB de Villiers' YouTube channel, where he mentioned hoping for top-order collapses to get a chance to bat.
Some fans have called for his removal from the playing XI, labeling his performance as a liability for the team this season. The sentiment is clear: Jitesh's inability to deliver when it matters most has become a focal point of criticism.
"Jitesh Sharma is a perfect example of how careless remarks can backfire. He often talks big but fails to deliver on the field."
RCB's Defeat to Gujarat Titans
Ultimately, RCB lost to Gujarat Titans by four wickets, with GT successfully chasing down the target of 156 runs in just 15.5 overs. Shubman Gill led the charge with a blistering 43 runs off 18 balls, while Jos Buttler contributed 39 runs off 19 balls, both maintaining a strike rate exceeding 200.
Rahul Tewatia's unbeaten 27 off 17 balls ensured a comfortable victory for GT, who finished the match with 25 balls to spare. For RCB, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets for 28 runs in his four overs.