Having led the franchise to victory last season, Jitesh believes that defending a championship presents a entirely different mental challenge than pursuing one.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cDefending the title gives extra unnecessary load and unnecessary attention towards winning the cup. I think chasing something always gives you a thought of what next move we should plan. It changes your mindset,\u201d said Jitesh.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhen you go for a win or chase a trophy, you always plan to win the game. But defending a title, gives you a thought that I don\u2019t want to lose. I don\u2019t want to lose this trophy. If you think about how to win, it makes a huge difference in your mindset,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The wicketkeeper-batter emphasized that maintaining consistency and discipline is crucial for the team to replicate last season\u2019s success.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think doing the same boring thing again and again,\u201d Jitesh remarked while explaining the process behind sustained success.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
As captain, Jitesh delivered a powerful message to his teammates before Season 2, emphasising the significance of freedom, fearlessness, and trust in the team dynamic.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBe natural, be fearless. Irrespective of performance, I will back you and I trust that whatever decision you will take on the ground, it will be on behalf of the team, and I will respect it. And if you fail, still you will have my back. If you get success, still you will have my slap,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The NECO Master Blaster captain also stated that his priority isn't just about winning. Instead, he emphasizes helping players grow both as cricketers and as individuals throughout the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI will give a very simple answer. I just want players to improve by 2%, 3% in this league. That\u2019s it. I am not expecting too much from them. I just want that in the last league, in the last matches, as a person, as a cricketer, they are getting 10% improved now,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cRather than thinking about performance, they should be more skillful, more mentally strong, more physically strong. And you can say they are more courageous to take more risk in this league. That\u2019s what I am expecting,\u201d Jitesh added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI will give a very simple answer. I just want players to improve by 2%, 3% in this league. That\u2019s it. I am not expecting too much from them. I just want that in the last league, in the last matches, as a person, as a cricketer, they are getting 10% improved now,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Squad: Jitesh Sharma, Adhyayan Daga, Aryan Meshram, Shanmesh Deshmukh, Ananmay Jayaswal, Vedant Dighade, Vaibhav Chandekar, Abhishek Gupta, Shantanu Rajput, Dipesh Parwani, Harsh Dubey, Avinash Jadhav, Arya Durugkar, Gaurav Dhoble, Gaurav Farde, Kush Khandelwal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n