“I am sure he will also get back in form”

Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer made a significant comment about Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) player Jitesh Sharma following their IPL 2026 match against the Delhi Capitals (DC). The defending champions defeated DC with a nine-wicket victory on Monday, April 27.

RCB bowled first and managed to dismiss Delhi for a mere 75 runs. Josh Hazlewood was at the forefront of the bowling attack, taking four wickets, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar secured three. Wasim Jaffer noted that Hazlewood’s presence has strengthened RCB’s bowling lineup.

Despite the team’s batting performance being strong, Jitesh Sharma has yet to find his rhythm. Jaffer expressed confidence that, given the length of the tournament, Jitesh will soon regain his form.

“With Hazlewood, the bowling has become even stronger. The batting has been clicking. Bethell is getting a chance. Devdutt is in form, Rajat is in good form. If Jitesh gets his form back, it is a long tournament, I am sure he will also get back in form, this team is looking dangerous and playing like defending champions. There are not many changes from last year too, more or less it is the same team,” he said on his YouTube channel.

In six innings, Jitesh has scored just 62 runs, averaging 10.33 with a strike rate of 116.98. Having been retained for ₹11 crore, RCB expects him to perform when given the chance.

Jaffer also commended Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood for their exceptional bowling against Delhi, describing it as a ‘masterclass’.

“It was a bowling masterclass, the way Bhuvi and Hazlewood bowled. Bowlers are getting hit a lot in this IPL, but there have been some games where they have dominated, as we saw here, and it is good to see them bowling like this as well, especially the way Bhuvi was swinging the ball.”

Bhuvneshwar is currently the leading wicket-taker for RCB this season with 14 wickets, while Hazlewood has claimed eight.

Wasim Jaffer on Delhi Capitals after huge loss to RCB

RCB has maintained their stronghold on the second spot of the points table, while Delhi has slipped to seventh with just three wins from eight games. Axar Patel’s team has narrowly lost a couple of matches they could have won. After the significant defeat to RCB, Wasim Jaffer observed that these close losses might impact DC’s chances of reaching the playoffs.

“These matches will hurt at the end of the season when you don’t qualify. There were two games that Delhi could have won. When you don’t qualify, in hindsight, you recall these games and cry. The first stage is to reach the playoffs. Delhi is a good team overall. But these close defeats may hurt them now. You don’t want a lot of catching up and come into a situation where all games are must-win,” he said.

Delhi has now faced their third consecutive defeat. They are set to face the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their next match and will be looking to get back to winning ways. With six league stage games left, they find themselves in a precarious position regarding playoff qualification.

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Edited by Rishab Vm