Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finishers Jitesh Sharma and Romario Shepherd have opened up about their on-field chemistry and highlighted how their contrasting styles make them a dangerous pair for bowlers in the Indian Premier League (IPL). As RCB prepare for their second match against five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, the duo reflected on what makes their partnership effective.Jitesh highlighted the tactical advantage of their partnership, noting how their different strengths make fielding difficult for the opposition.
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Mike Hussey admits CSK were outplayed after the batting collapse “I feel when we play together, the bowler can get confused. When I can use all the angles, he can hit the ball with power. So it’s confusing for the bowler to place the pitch,” he said in a video posted by RCB on X.Shepherd, meanwhile, highlighted the confidence he gets from batting alongside Jitesh and credited him for creating a positive environment in the middle. “Whenever I bowl with him, I feel confident because he always makes me feel like I’m at my best. Plus he makes me feel like I can hit every ball for a six. So that’s something that, you know, gives me confidence to go out there and play my shots,” he said.Despite his aggressive approach, Jitesh admitted that matching Shepherd’s power is no easy task. “I can’t get the power I want. I think if I try to get that power, I might not be a cricketer; I might be a bodybuilder or something. But I think it’s very difficult to get his power,” he added.Shepherd also praised Jitesh’s composure and versatility, especially in pressure situations, which helps him stay calm at the other end.“Whenever you’re batting with someone like Jitesh, what Jitesh does well at the end of the day, you know, is keep calm, stay calm and you know you’ve got all the shots. So it’s easy for him to actually go for one of his funky shots, you know, one of the scoops or something like that. In T20 cricket, that’s all you want.”“Just take the ball out of his game plan. And you know, Jitesh does that very well. I don’t know, I enjoy batting with him,” Shepherd added.The duo played a vital role in RCB’s title-winning campaign last season. Jitesh scored 261 runs in 15 matches, while Shepherd came into his own with 151 runs in just eight games, including a brilliant 14-ball fifty against CSK.Jitesh and Shepherd, with their chemistry and complementary styles, will once again be key to RCB’s final strength this season.
