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Jitesh Sharma grew up as a lively and mischievous schoolboy who showed little interest in academics, preferring outdoor games and sport instead. That energy eventually channelled into cricket, which became his true passion and career path. He first came into prominence with an excellent performance in the 2012–13 Cooch Behar Trophy, which earned him a spot in the senior Vidarbha team. There, he established himself as a lower-order finisher in limited-overs cricket. In 2016, he was picked up by Mumbai Indians, though he did not get a chance to play in the XI. After a few quiet years in domestic cricket, where his progress seemed to stall, Jitesh made a strong comeback in the 2021–22 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He hit 19 sixes in the tournament—the most by any player—re-establishing himself as a powerful finisher. His performances caught the attention of Punjab Kings, who selected him for the 2022 IPL. He quickly emerged as one of the breakout players of the season with his aggressive strokeplay, including ramps, scoops, and big hitting. He followed it up with another strong domestic season, which earned him a maiden India call-up in 2023 as an injury replacement for Sanju Samson during a series against Sri Lanka. Despite his rise, Jitesh continued to be seen mainly as a lower-order specialist, and with players like Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson ahead in the pecking order, his opportunities for India remained limited. However, he continued to excel in franchise cricket, becoming a key finisher for Punjab Kings. Ahead of the 2025 IPL auction, Royal Challengers Bengaluru acquired him for a significant fee, banking on his explosive batting for their middle order. He made an immediate impact in his first season with RCB in 2025, playing several match-winning innings. His standout performance came against Lucknow Super Giants, where he smashed 85 off 33 balls to successfully chase down a target of 227, showcasing his fearless batting style. The season ended on a high as Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally won their maiden IPL title, with Jitesh playing an important role in their success.
