'Talking to Virat bhai...'- Jitesh Sharma reveals bond and respect for Virat Kohli ahead of Asia Cup 2025

After his special performance for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) during the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Jitesh Sharma got selected into the national side for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, which starts on September 09 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Blue Brigade will play their opening game against the UAE on the following day in Dubai.

The 31-year-old has smacked 100 T20I runs in seven innings at an average of just over 14 and a strike rate of 147.05 with the best score of 35. During the IPL 2025, the wicket-keeper batter drilled 261 runs in 11 innings at an average of 37.28 and a strike rate of 176.35, thanks to the best score of an unbeaten 85 runs.

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“I come from a small town, where you give lots of respect to your seniors. You don't intrude on their personal space - For me, just talking to him is a big deal. I know Virat bhai’s stature, so I would try not to intrude on his personal space or bother him unnecessarily.” Jitesh revealed during a recent interaction on TOI.

Jitesh Sharma shares bond and respect with Virat Kohli ahead of Asia Cup 2025

Jitesh, during his young and old days, didn’t have a coach and took on watching the YouTube videos of the former Australian batter, Adam Gilcirst, and India’s Sourav Ganguly for early advice as he made his national debut at the Asian Games at the age of 29.

“I used to talk to him about cricket only. Out of respect, I maintained my distance. I only wanted to have a meaningful conversation with him.” Jitesh expressed that he credited his childhood friends, his former Vidarbha captain, Faiz Fazal, his mentor Dinesh Karthik, and Ruchir Mishtra, the former TOI journalist, who passed away due to Covid-19.

The Maharashtra-born, who has collected 2886 runs in 127 innings of the T20s at an average of 27.22 and a strike rate of 152.29 with 11 half-centuries and one century at the best score of 106 runs, will be a valuable member for the Blue Brigade in the lower order.