NEW DELHI: Jitesh Sharma turned out to be the lucky mascot for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025, as the franchise finally ended their agonising 18-year wait to lift the trophy - in his very first season with the team.

The wicketkeeper-batter showcased his batting prowess with a crucial 24 off just 10 balls in the final. But what truly took the cricketing world by storm was his whirlwind knock of 85* off just 33 deliveries, studded with 8 fours and 6 sixes, against Lucknow Super Giants - an innings that powered RCB to chase down a daunting 228-run target.

Jitesh also considered himself fortunate to have played a part in ending Virat Kohli's long wait for an IPL trophy. Speaking exclusively to Sports Yaari, Jitesh reflected on several emotional moments, emphasising how frustrating it can be for someone to go years without winning a title.

He said it gives him a sense of relief and fulfilment when someone remembers him for contributing to a special achievement - when they say, "this happened because of Jitesh."

When the IPL final ended, emotions ran high. As the last over unfolded and that crucial full toss from Punjab Kings' batter Shashank Singh missed, everyone knew the match was done and dusted.

Kohli's eyes welled up even before the final ball was bowled - not with sorrow, but with tears of joy. Those were the tears of a man who had given 18 long years to one franchise, pouring his heart and soul into the game.

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Watching Virat in that moment, Jitesh felt something deeply human stir within him. "As a person, I could understand what he must have been going through," Jitesh said later. "When you change something in your batting technique and it doesn't click for weeks, you become impatient. Now imagine - this man played for 18 years for one team. How many times must he have felt frustration, impatience, even emotional imbalance?"

Jitesh didn't interact much with Virat personally, but he admired him deeply from afar. That night, as Jitesh spoke to his wife, he reflected on his own journey - the years when he couldn't even make his state team for three seasons. "I was frustrated then, too," he told her. "So when I think of Virat Bhai - 18 years of ups and downs, of knockouts, finals, heartbreaks - I realize what a storm must be inside him."

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He paused and added softly, "I told her, if in any small way I've been able to make a difference in his life, if something I did helped him or made him smile, that would be my biggest blessing. I always think - if someone remembers me later and says, 'Because of Jitesh, this happened,' that's what truly matters to me."

For Jitesh, Virat's tears weren't just about a win. "Those were pure emotions," he said. "After 18 years, reaching the final again - that's destiny. I feel like it was written by the one above. Rajat becoming captain, me playing that knock, everyone hitting form at the right time - it was all written for Virat Bhai."

When asked about how everything seemed to fall perfectly in place - even fans praying for Josh Hazlewood to return - Jitesh smiled. "This year, every player was special," he said. "Not just on the field, but as human beings. Phil Salt, Josh Hazlewood - they were warm, welcoming, always ready to teach. And the way the RCB management handled things this season - it was different. I've been with Punjab Kings for three years, MI for two, but this time, RCB felt like a family. There was professionalism, yes, but also a personal touch. They treated you like a younger brother, listened to your opinions. It felt like everyone's heart was aligned."

And when the victory came, Virat didn't need to say much. "He was very happy," Jitesh recalled with a smile. "He even offered me his bat - but it didn't suit my size, so Rajat took it instead. I told him, 'It's okay, Bhaiya.'"

Jitesh looked away for a moment, his tone softening again. "He's a good man, a very good man. I may not talk to him much, but I always learn from him - even from a distance."