Jitesh Sharma Recalls Preity Zinta’s Regret After Being Outbid by RCB
Jitesh Sharma shares Preity Zinta’s apology after IPL auction loss.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Jitesh Sharma recently opened up about his close bond with Punjab Kings co-owner Preity Zinta and shared an untold story from the IPL auction that shaped his career. Sharma, who played for Punjab Kings from IPL 2022 to IPL 2024 before joining RCB, described Preity as an “elder sister” and credited her for helping him navigate his early IPL journey.
In a conversation on Ranveer Allahbadia’s YouTube channel, Sharma revealed that Preity, also from Himachal Pradesh like him, would frequently engage in long conversations about life and cricket. “It was a life-turning moment, getting into Punjab Kings,” Sharma said. “Whatever I am is because of them.” He added that Preity personally tried to retain him during the IPL 2025 auction, expressing regret when RCB’s higher bid of ₹11 crore outpaced Punjab Kings’ right-to-match offer of ₹7 crore.
Sharma recounted that Preity called him after the auction to apologize for being unable to retain him. “She said, ‘I am very sorry that I could not take you.’ I told her, ‘I also wanted to play for you.’ She was very happy that I went for ₹11 crore,” he said, highlighting the mutual respect and affection that has persisted despite the change in teams.
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The story comes ahead of RCB’s IPL 2026 campaign, which kicks off on March 28 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at their home ground in Bengaluru. In a recent warm-up match, RCB’s batters looked in fine form. Jitesh Sharma scored a rapid 37-ball 81, skipper Rajat Patidar slammed 74 off 25 balls, and Virat Kohli contributed a quick 29-run cameo from 12 balls.
Other key performers in the warm-up included Devdutt Padikkal and Krunal Pandya, who joined Sharma and Patidar in scoring quick fifties. The display of aggressive batting provides an encouraging sign for RCB fans as the team seeks to defend its IPL title.
Sharma’s reflections underscore the personal connections and mentorship that often underpin professional cricket, showing how team dynamics off the field can be as influential as performances on it. For him, the bond with Preity Zinta remains a defining aspect of his IPL journey, even as he aims to deliver for RCB this season.
Also Read: Ricky Ponting Advises Punjab Kings Players to Prepare Fully for IPL 2026
