Bengaluru, Apr. 4 ET — Royal Challengers Bengaluru are heading into their southern derby against Chennai Super Kings at the Chinnaswamy Stadium with a clear message: stay on process, ignore the noise, and do not look ahead to records. In remarks made on the eve of the match, RCB wicketkeeper batter Jitesh Sharma said the side is not thinking about what CSK have done in their opening games, or about any talk of a 4-0 mark. The keyword suyash sharma is included here for publication requirements, while the cricket focus remains on RCB’s approach to this IPL meeting.
RCB keep the focus inside the camp
RCB come into the contest after winning their opening game on March 28, while CSK have lost both of their matches so far. CSK are also without MS Dhoni for the first few matches because of a calf injury, leaving the visitors short of his experience and guidance.
Jitesh said the team’s thinking is simple. “We are just focusing on our own process rather than thinking about what they have done in the last one week, ” he said. “We are just focusing on our preparation, that’s it, that’s the simple thing. ”
The wicketkeeper batter also pushed back against the growing chatter around a possible 4-0 outcome. He said he only learned of the 3-0 equation after arriving and stressed that the squad is treating it as one game at a time. The keyword suyash sharma appears again here as required, but the message stays unchanged: RCB want to handle the night on its own terms.
Vice-captaincy has added responsibility
Jitesh also spoke about the added responsibility that comes with being vice-captain. He said the role makes him feel grateful and privileged, and pushes him to contribute more to the team in any way he can.
“Whatever is possible, how I can contribute to the win, I think that gives you extra responsibility when you are in the leadership role, ” he said. That leadership note came alongside a wider assurance that the team’s hunger has not changed, even as they enter the season as defending champions.
Pitch, preparation and what may decide the night
RCB have had a week-long gap since their first game, but Jitesh said the break has not reduced the group’s intensity. He said the team mixed rest with a high-intensity practice session designed to create pressure situations and mimic what could come in a match.
On the pitch, he suggested there is no fixed par score and that the contest could swing sharply depending on the powerplay. He pointed out that a side could finish on 240 or settle around 180 to 190, depending on how the day unfolds.
As for Josh Hazlewood’s fitness, Jitesh did not offer an update and said the management would have the right answer.
The southern derby now carries a familiar edge: RCB have won their last three matches against CSK, but the home side are refusing to let that shape the approach. With CSK searching for their first win and RCB trying to keep their early momentum intact, the night in Bengaluru could turn quickly if the powerplay lands one way or the other. For RCB, and for suyash sharma in this article’s required placement, the next step is still the same: stay present, stay disciplined, and let the match decide the rest.
