Watch: "Learned to carry myself" – Jitesh Sharma opens up on snub from India’s T20 World Cup squad ahead of IPL 2026

Jitesh Sharma missed out on a place in India’s squad for the ICCMen's T20 World Cup after a late change in the team combination. The decision meant he lost his chance to be in the playing XI. Although it was disappointing at first, the situation later allowed him to stay with his father during his last days, which he now values more than playing in the tournament.

His father, Mohan Sharma, passed away on February 1 after a short illness. At that time, Jitesh had been part of India’s plans for the tournament and had also played in the Asia Cup. However, before the New Zealand T20I series, the team management changed the batting plan and chose Ishan Kishan instead, with Abhishek Sharma opening the innings.

The RCB batter said that “When I got the news that I was not selected, I felt a little sad. I am also human, so I can feel sad and upset. But after some time passed, the sadness became less,” said Jitesh, who plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL, in an exclusive interview with PTI.

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Jitesh Sharma opens up about his father’s passing

The emotional weight of missing out on the global tournament soon gave way to a far more personal challenge.

"But later on, my dad got ill. And he died on 1st of Feb. So, I was with him for seven days. Afterwards, I got to know that my dad needed me more than the World Cup. After that, I didn't have any sad feeling, any regret or anything for anyone or for myself also. I am not angry or anything," he said, as the sadness in the dashing batter-keeper's voice was palpable.

"I was grateful that God gave me the opportunity to stay with my dad for seven days. So, I was able to take care of him. And I enjoyed watching the World Cup on TV at home. It's a very different feeling. It gives you lots of pressure rather than playing. And I was very happy for the boys."

With his father gone, the responsibility of being the eldest son has become a defining reality in his life.

*"I can't forget that thing and I don't want to forget that thing because he is not there anymore. When you lose your dad, after a few days you get to know that you are now responsible for taking decisions in your family as the elder son.

"And that's it - to take care of your mother, brother and family. So, I'm someone who can't show my feelings to them and can't be weak in front of them because they are looking at me while playing cricket also. And I have to accept it,"* Jitesh said, speaking about what happens when life bowls a snorter at you.

Grief, he admits, does not arrive all at once. It creeps in slowly, leaving behind a sense of incompleteness that he knows will remain for life.

"It hits after some time. I'm not coping with anything. I'm just accepting that my dad is not there anymore. There is a portion of my heart that is empty now. It will be empty till my death because of my dad."

Cricket, however, has also taught him to carry on. Jitesh says he has learned to live with the sorrow while continuing to pursue his career.

"And I have learned to carry myself with that sorrow and that hollowness during practice. Because no matter how much I want, I can't forget that thing. Because it's your father, right? He is my hero for my life."

"If he was alive today, he would have told me to go and practice. Don't worry about me. So I always bring this thing to my mind that if I'm in sorrow or pain, what he would have told me? I think he would have suggested me to go and play the game. And I'm very proud of it."

Jitesh also drew parallels with teammate Rinku Singh, saying he understood the emotional strength required to return to the field after personal setbacks.

"That's the same thing Rinku must have felt. That's why he was able to come on the ground again. And it's a very big thing," he added.

Jitesh has featured in 16 T20Is for India, scoring 162 runs at a strike rate of 151.40. The upcoming Indian Premier League season presents him with a crucial opportunity to showcase his form and push his case for a return to the national side.