"My dad needed me more than the World Cup": Jitesh Sharma on missing T20 World Cup squad Cricketer Jitesh Sharma found solace in caring for his ailing father, Mohan Sharma, after missing out on the T20 World Cup squad. His father’s passing on February 1 shifted his focus entirely, making him realize his responsibility as the eldest son. Jitesh expressed gratitude for the time spent with his father, finding joy in watching the World Cup at home. Indian cricketer Jitesh Sharma recently spoke about missing out on India’s title-winning squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. However, that disappointment soon faded as he faced a much more personal loss. On February 1, his father and strongest support system, Mohan Sharma, passed away after a brief illness. “When I got the news of my non-selection, I was a little bit disheartened. I am also a human. I can feel sad and bad. But later on, as time went by, the sad time becomes short,” Jitesh told PTI during an exclusive interview. Soon after the news of his exclusion, Jitesh had to deal with his father’s deteriorating health. “But later on, my dad got ill. And he passed away on 1st of Feb. So, I was with him for seven days. Afterward, I got to know that my dad needed me more than the World Cup. After that, I didn’t have any sad feeling, any regret or anything for anyone or for myself also. I am not angry or anything,” he said. He added, “I was grateful that God gave me the opportunity to stay with my dad for seven days. So, I was able to take care of him. And I enjoyed watching the World Cup on TV at home. It’s a very different feeling. It gives you lots of pressure rather than playing. And I was very happy for the boys.” Following his father’s death, Jitesh now carries the responsibilities of being the eldest son in the family.#icc_men_s_t20_world_cup_2026 #world_cup #mohan_sharma #jitesh_sharma #pti
My Dad Needed Me More: RCB Star's Heartbreaking Revelation After Snub From India's T20 World Cup Squad Jitesh Sharma, a star player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League, revealed his emotional journey after being left out of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad. The decision, which initially felt like a personal setback, took on a new dimension when he learned of his father’s passing just days later. For Sharma, the loss of his father overshadowed any disappointment from missing the tournament, as he found solace in being by his father’s side during his final days. Sharma shared his experience during an exclusive interview with PTI, explaining how the initial sting of non-selection faded quickly in the face of a deeper personal tragedy. His father, Mohan Sharma, passed away on February 1 after a brief illness, leaving Sharma to grapple with grief and a newfound sense of responsibility as the eldest son. “I got to know that my dad needed me more than the World Cup. I didn’t have any sad feeling,” he said, reflecting on how the emotional weight of his father’s death transformed his perspective. The loss of his father, Sharma explained, brought a profound shift in his life. “After he died, I realized I’m now responsible for taking care of my family. I can’t be weak in front of them, and I have to accept this role,” he said. This responsibility, he added, has become a defining part of his identity, shaping how he approaches both cricket and life. Sharma described the process of grieving as gradual, noting that the emptiness left by his father’s absence will linger for the rest of his life. “There is a portion of my heart that is empty now. It will be empty till my death because of my dad,” he said, his voice carrying the weight of unspoken sorrow.#t20_world_cup_2026 #royal_challengers_bengaluru #mohan_sharma #jitesh_sharma #pti
World Cup snub and father's death: RCB star reveals painful journey NEW DELHI: Jitesh Sharma admits that being left out of India’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad was disappointing, but that setback soon felt insignificant compared to the personal loss he suffered shortly after. The wicketkeeper-batter lost his father, Mohan Sharma, on February 1 after a brief illness, a moment that changed his perspective on everything. “When I got the news of my non-selection, I was a little bit disheartened. I am also a human. I can feel sad and bad. But later on, as time went by, the sad time becomes short,” Jitesh told PTI during an exclusive interview. The disappointment of missing the global tournament soon gave way to a far deeper emotional challenge. “Later on, my dad got ill. And he passed away on 1st of Feb. So, I was with him for seven days. Afterward, I got to know that my dad needed me more than the World Cup. After that, I didn’t have any sad feeling, any regret or anything for anyone or for myself also. I am not angry or anything,” he said, with the sadness evident in his voice. “I was grateful that God gave me the opportunity to stay with my dad for seven days. So, I was able to take care of him. And I enjoyed watching the World Cup on TV at home. It’s a very different feeling. It gives you lots of pressure rather than playing. And I was very happy for the boys.” With his father gone, the responsibility of being the eldest son has become a defining part of his life. “I can’t forget that thing and I don’t want to forget that thing because he is not there anymore. When you lose your dad, after a few days you get to know that you are now responsible for taking decisions in your family as the elder son. And that’s it—to take care of your mother, brother and family.#india #icc_men_s_t20_world_cup #royal_challengers_bengaluru #jitesh_sharma #mohan_sharma
