It's my responsibility - Jitesh Sharma on his approach to captaincy and advice for youngsters

The plethora of T20 talents who have come through the Indian cricket ranks has attracted many eyeballs in the recent past, and one of the focal points behind the emergence of these prodigious players has been India's domestic competition, the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 competition.

Jitesh Sharma, one of RCB’s key elements in propelling them to glory in the 2025 IPL, has been a major contributor to his state side Vidarbha's journey in the tournament, and also captained the side in the previous edition of the competition last year.

As new players make their way to the fore with every passing day, it is crucial for a captain to offer them the strength to perform and the courage to enjoy their game in the center. Jitesh Sharma stepped up as the captain of RCB in the 2025 season when Rajat Patidar was injured, and this responsibility was entrusted upon him on the back of his positive showing as skipper in the Syed Mushtaq Ali.

Talking on the latest episode of Big Basket presents RCB Podcast, Jitesh Sharma revealed a crucial piece of advice that he shared with his younger teammates in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Jitesh said, “It’s not your responsibility to win the game. It’s my responsibility. I am giving you the freedom. You just enjoy your T20 game. It’s my responsibility because I have played so much cricket. So I don’t want to put them under pressure that they have to win the game.”

He also underlined how he would try and incorporate a youngster who is making a debut for the state team. Sharma added, “If a youngster is debuting, I don’t want to give them any pressure. I want them to enjoy the game. I want them to go and explore. That’s the thing, I will take the responsibility there in Syed Mushtaq Ali. So, I will take the hard things on me.”