Jitesh Sharma’s unbeaten 85* and a thrilling partnership with Mayank Agarwal propel Bengaluru to second spot in the IPL 2025 standings.
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 28 – In a breathtaking finale to the group stage, stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma played the innings of his life to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a remarkable six-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Tuesday at the Ekana Stadium.
This victory not only sealed RCB’s second-place finish but also secured them a date with Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1. Gujarat Titans, meanwhile, will face Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator.
Chasing a mammoth 229-run target, RCB pulled off the third-highest successful run chase in IPL history. It was also the highest total ever chased at the Ekana Stadium, underlining the magnitude of the win.
Virat Kohli and Phil Salt got RCB off to a flying start in the powerplay, laying the foundation with a series of crisp boundaries. Salt departed for 30 (19) in the final over of the powerplay, and the innings stuttered briefly as Will O’Rourke removed Rajat Patidar (14) and Liam Livingstone (0) in the eighth over.
Virat Kohli kept the chase alive with a composed fifty, but his dismissal for 52, caught by Ayush Badoni off Avesh Khan, momentarily threatened to derail RCB’s charge. However, Jitesh Sharma and Mayank Agarwal took control in the final phase.
Jitesh survived a tense moment in the 17th over when a no-ball call spared him from dismissal. Capitalizing on the lifeline, he launched into an explosive assault, smashing a hat-trick of sixes to keep RCB in the hunt.
A dramatic moment came when Digvesh’s throw caught Jitesh short of the crease at the non-striker’s end, but LSG captain Rishabh Pant withdrew the appeal, giving the batter a crucial reprieve.
Jitesh reached his maiden IPL fifty with a towering six and didn’t stop there—he finished the chase in grand style with another maximum. He remained unbeaten on 85 off just 33 balls, while Mayank Agarwal provided steady support with a 41 off 23 balls.
Earlier in the evening, Rishabh Pant starred for LSG with an unbeaten 118 (61), marking his first IPL century of the season. Pant’s heroics and a 152-run stand with Mitchell Marsh (67) powered LSG to an imposing 227/3.
Pant’s innings was filled with flair and fireworks, including 11 fours and nine sixes. Marsh, meanwhile, brought up his seventh half-century of the season before falling to Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Despite Pant’s special effort, it was Jitesh Sharma’s night as he orchestrated a thrilling finish to the group stage, ensuring RCB heads into the playoffs brimming with confidence.