Ravichandran Ashwin Warns RCB Over Jitesh Sharma’s Slump Ahead of KKR Clash
The Quest for Stability: RCB’s Path Forward
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season hurtles toward the playoff stage, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) find themselves in a position of strength, sitting comfortably second on the points table with seven victories from eleven matches. Boasting the league’s best net run rate, the defending champions appear to be in prime condition to launch a bid for a second consecutive title. However, the path to the trophy is rarely devoid of obstacles, and former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has identified a significant concern that could threaten their campaign: the prolonged batting slump of Jitesh Sharma.
The Jitesh Sharma Dilemma
Jitesh Sharma, who played an instrumental role in RCB’s historic maiden IPL title triumph in 2025, has found the 2026 season remarkably difficult. The statistics paint a stark picture of his recent struggles. Across 11 matches, Jitesh has managed to bat in only 9 innings, accumulating a mere 82 runs. His average has plummeted to 9.11, while his strike rate—usually his defining attribute—has dipped to an uncharacteristic 115.49. With a highest score of just 23, the explosive power that once made him a formidable finisher has been largely absent, having cleared the ropes only five times this season.
Ashwin, offering his expert analysis on the situation, noted that while RCB has shown commendable loyalty to their first-choice wicketkeeper, the lack of depth in the middle order makes this form slump particularly pressing. ‘Look, RCB have one issue, which I think is Jitesh Sharma’s form. He was an incumbent keeper-batsman for India, and he’s lost his place. The entry point of Jitesh Sharma is something that they don’t have too many choices with. Because everyone in the top four is scoring runs, including Patidar,’ Ashwin explained.
Can RCB Overcome the Hurdle?
Despite the individual struggles of their wicketkeeper, Ashwin remains optimistic about RCB’s overall quality. He pointed to their resilience, noting how they managed to push Lucknow Super Giants to the brink despite being in a disadvantageous position earlier in the game. To him, the team remains a formidable force. ‘Most teams, 100 for 4 chasing 13/14 an over would be reeling at that point of time. And RCB was, and they still found a way to get as close as they did,’ he remarked.
Looking ahead, Ashwin suggests that RCB has tactical flexibility, particularly if they consider adjustments to their bowling attack. While he acknowledges the depth of their batting, he mooted the idea of introducing Jacob Duffy to strengthen the seam department if necessary. However, he also offered a counter-perspective: ‘Why really fix something that isn’t broken? They won a title, they’re looking like a strong side. To me, RCB are going to be telling themselves, ‘We are still a great shout to try and defend this title.”
Looking Ahead: The Clash Against KKR
The defending champions face their next stern test on May 13th, as they prepare to face the 2024 champions, the Kolkata Knight Riders. Although it is technically a home fixture for RCB, the match will be hosted at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium in Raipur. As KKR fights to stay in contention for a playoff spot, RCB aims to solidify their standing near the top of the table.
Ultimately, Ashwin’s advice to the franchise is to maintain composure. He believes that provided they do not succumb to the pressure of expectation, they remain the team to beat. Whether they persist with Jitesh in hopes of a return to form or look toward their bench for alternative options, RCB’s management faces a crucial decision as the business end of the tournament looms.
