Bengaluru, April 4 -- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma on Saturday said the defending champions tag is "irrelevant" as the team focuses on chasing the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 title.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of RCB's clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sharma quoted RCB director of cricket Mo Bobat, saying, "Frankly speaking, it is irrelevant. As our director of cricket, Mo Bobat, said, we are not defending, we are chasing the title. This is a new season, we have to start one game again at a time, but with the confidence of what we have achieved."

Addressing questions around the Impact Player rule in a cash-rich league, the RCB keeper-batter said, "If you ask me per...