Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has opined that Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s wicket-keeper bat Jitesh Sharma will have a great opportunity in IPL 2026. Jitesh was part of India’s T20I team but he was dropped from the World Cup squad as the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel backed in-form Ishan Kishan.
Jitesh had done a decent job while batting in the lower-middle order in limited opportunities he received and he was a bit unlucky to miss out in the World Cup squad.
Meanwhile, Jitesh scored 261 runs in 11 innings in IPL 2025 at an average of 37.29 and a strike rate of 176.35 and thus played a key role in taking the franchise to glory. The right-hander has scored 991 runs in 55 IPL matches at an average of 25.41 and a strike rate of 157.06.
“Opportunities are plenty. In general, winning back-to-back trophies, that is incredible if that happens. Jitesh Sharma – of course, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan are there at the moment and there is no place, but he was a part of the Indian team three months ago. So it’s a big opportunity for him to keep enhancing that reputation,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
The renowned commentator said RCB captain Rajat Patidar can also put himself in contention for India’s T20I team selection by performing well in IPL 2026.
“Rajat Patidar generally flies under the radar. He is not given that much attention. Do well and straightaway become a part of the Indian T20 team. All those routes pass through these lanes,” he observed.
The former KKR batter said Devdutt Padikkal will look to take his performances a notch higher whereas Virat Kohli and Phil Salt have nothing to prove.
“Devdutt Padikkal, can you actually enhance your reputation a bit more? Virat Kohli and Phil Salt have nothing more to prove. They have already proved everything. Krunal Pandya, can you do enough to actually break it back into the Indian team?” he said.
The former Delhi cricketer said RCB can defend their IPL crown if the players make the most of their opportunities.
“So some big questions are looming as opportunities. These are your opportunities, and if you do the job in those opportunities, you are a force to reckon with as a team. So can you replicate that success? I think that should be the most driving factor,” he observed.
RCB will begin their IPL defense against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru on 28th March.
