He got an unreal salary hike of 5500%.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) retained only three players ahead of the recent Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) auction and did a complete overhaul of the squad as they hope to break the jinx and win their maiden title.
In the process, the RCB management decided to give one of their new recruits the highest-ever pay hike in IPL auction history. Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma got a staggering salary hike of 5500% – after being picked up by RCB for INR 11 crore, which is 55 times more than his previous IPL salary of ₹20 lakh.
Previously, Jitesh Sharma plied his trade with the Punjab Kings, who acquired his services for his base price in the IPL 2022 mega auction and then retained him for the same rate for the next two seasons.
Jitesh’s career trajectory has been remarkable. Since his IPL debut in 2022, he has consistently impressed. Over two strong seasons with PBKS in 2022 and 2023, he maintained impressive strike rates of 163 and 156, respectively. Notably, he smashed 21 sixes during the 2023 season, earning him a place in the Indian T20I squad as a wicketkeeper and finisher. He was also promoted to the role of vice-captain last season following an injury to regular captain Shikhar Dhawan.
Jitesh Sharma is a household name in the IPL and will be crucial to RCB’s plans in the upcoming season. Not only is he a seasoned finisher with a specific skillset, RCB also sees him as the potential replacement for Dinesh Karthik.
The veteran cricketer announced his retirement from all forms last season after holding the finisher and keeper’s spot in the RCB team for the past few seasons.
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