Dinesh Karthik Lauds Jitesh Sharma’s Calm Mindset Ahead of Asia Cup 2025

New Delhi, September 1 – Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik has praised wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma for his maturity and composed approach as he gears up for the Asia Cup 2025. Sharma, who forced his way back into the Indian squad after a stellar IPL season, has been hailed by Karthik as a player who never let desperation dictate his cricketing journey.

Karthik, who mentored Jitesh during their stint together at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, revealed that the youngster’s growth was as much about mindset as it was about technique.

“Right from the outset, I was very sure Jitesh was someone who would come back into the Indian team and show his skills as a finisher. He was never desperate to play for India before, and that clarity helped him focus on his game,” Karthik told The Times of India.

The 30-year-old Jitesh showcased his big-hitting ability in IPL 2025, most notably with an unbeaten 85 off just 33 balls against Lucknow Super Giants. His consistency in pressure situations caught the eye of selectors, earning him a recall to the national setup.

Jitesh credited Karthik’s mentorship for instilling the confidence to embrace the finisher’s role:

“DK bhai always told me to stay calm, trust the process and enjoy the journey rather than chase milestones. That advice has changed the way I play.”

Competition with Sanju Samson

For the Asia Cup, India have picked Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma as the two wicketkeeping options. While Samson is expected to start as the first-choice keeper, Jitesh’s role as a lower-order enforcer provides India with a valuable alternative.

The Asia Cup will be a crucial stage for Sharma to prove his credentials, especially with the T20 World Cup 2026 looming on the horizon.