Jitesh Sharma's Missed Milestone: RCB’s Unofficial Captain in a Suspended IPL 2025

 In what could have been a defining moment in his career, Jitesh Sharma was set to take on the captaincy mantle for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The wicketkeeper-batter, known for his composed presence and tactical mind, was scheduled to lead the team in their fixture against the Lucknow Super Giants. However, fate had other plans.

Image Source : BCCI/IPL
Jitesh Sharma has been Rajat Patidar's deputy for RCB in IPL 2025, albeit unofficially

The IPL 2025 season came to a sudden halt due to rising border tensions between India and Pakistan. The suspension followed disruptions near Dharamsala, where a previous match had to be abandoned due to blackouts caused by the instability in the region. With the league paused indefinitely, Jitesh’s captaincy debut was shelved—at least for now.

Jitesh was called up to lead the side in the absence of regular skipper Rajat Patidar, who sustained an injury in RCB's last outing against Chennai Super Kings. Patidar's absence left a void in both the leadership and batting department. Despite not being the officially named vice-captain, Jitesh had been a prominent figure in the leadership group and was trusted with the responsibility for the Lucknow match.

Speaking on RCB’s special video segment, Break Message, Jitesh shared his thoughts:

"I was very grateful for the opportunity. It’s a big deal for me and my family. Over the last few days, I’d been involved in team meetings, strategy sessions with the bowlers, and discussing combinations—especially since both Devdutt and Rajat were unavailable."

He expressed excitement about the opportunity to lead and the work that went into preparing for the now-canceled match:

"I was really enjoying the process. A lot of thought was going into the batting order and how to make the most of the resources available to us."

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer had previously hinted at Jitesh’s leadership potential during a Timeout segment on ESPNcricinfo, citing him as a strong candidate after RCB moved on from Faf du Plessis. While Rajat Patidar ultimately got the nod due to his domestic leadership experience with Madhya Pradesh, Jitesh remained a key part of the core leadership group.

As things stand, RCB sits comfortably on 16 points, just one win away from confirming their place in the playoffs. With the recent ceasefire announcement, the BCCI is reportedly working toward a swift resumption of the tournament. If that happens, and Patidar’s recovery is delayed, Jitesh might still get his shot at leading the team on the big stage.

For now, Jitesh Sharma’s captaincy remains a story of what could have been—but one that reflects the ever-unpredictable nature of sport and the resilience required to navigate it.