India’s wicket-keeper bat Jitesh Sharma revealed that Hardik Pandya was the first to message him after he was not picked in the T20 World Cup squad. Sharma had performed decently in T20Is but he was unlucky to miss out in the World Cup squad. The 32-year-old has scored 162 runs in 16 T20I matches at a strike rate of 151.41 and had added the finishing touches while batting down the order.

However, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel picked Ishan Kishan in the squad as a backup wicket-keeper as he can also open the innings. Kishan scored 517 runs in 10 matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and led Jharkhand to the tournament’s glory.

“Hardik bhai was the first one who messaged me when I wasn’t picked for the World Cup,” Jitesh told Ranveer Allahbadia. “He advised me to just keep growing as a person, as a cricketer. A lot of cricketers messaged me. Arshdeep (Singh), Avesh (Khan) – they are my good friends and they all messaged. Shivam (Dube) bhai too.”

Jitesh praised Hardik Pandya for his helpful nature ahead of IPL 2026.

“Hardik Pandya is the most helpful guy I’ve met. I’ve not met anyone who gives more bats to kids than him, even without being asked. He even gave one to me once. Even Krunal bhai, you call him and he’s there to help you,” he said.

“I also play for Baroda and have interacted with him (Hardik) several times. He’s a very smart cricketer who knows exactly what he’s doing,” he added.

Sharma also lauded Krunal Pandya for his guile with the ball. Pandya is known to vary his pace and had delivered for RCB in the previous season.

“Have you ever seen a spinner bowl a bouncer? He’s the first spinner who (regularly) does that. That shows his mentality. Have you ever heard of a batter being afraid that a spinner might bowl a bouncer? That’s the fear he has created,” he said.

RCB will begin their IPL defense against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru on 28th March.