Lucknow: In a high-stakes encounter to cap off the group stage of IPL 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), led by stand-in skipper Jitesh Sharma, pulled off one of the greatest chases in IPL history, defeating Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by six wickets to seal second place on the points table.
💥 Jitesh’s Heroics: A Knock for the Ages
With a record chase of 229, RCB showcased nerves of steel and explosive firepower. The star of the night was Jitesh Sharma, whose unbeaten 85 off 33 was laced with audacity and brilliance. Alongside Mayank Agarwal (41* off 23), Jitesh stitched a 107-run unbeaten partnership that snatched victory from the jaws of pressure.
🔥 Jitesh’s innings featured a hat-trick of sixes, a lucky escape from a run-out appeal, and a commanding six to seal the match.
🔝 RCB Secure Second Spot, Qualifier 1 vs Punjab Kings
- Punjab Kings finish top of the table
- RCB end second, will play Punjab in Qualifier 1 on Thursday
- Gujarat Titans fall to third and will face Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator on Friday
🚀 The Chase: Powered by Kohli, Salt & Jitesh
- Virat Kohli (50+) and Phil Salt (30 off 19) set the tone with a fiery powerplay
- Will O’Rourke struck back with a double blow—dismissing Patidar and Livingstone in successive deliveries
- Virat’s dismissal post-fifty left RCB in a tight spot—until Jitesh and Mayank turned the tide
⚠️ Kohli was visibly frustrated after mistiming Avesh Khan straight to Ayush Badoni
💔 LSG’s Mammoth 227 Goes in Vain
Earlier, Lucknow Super Giants posted 227/3 after being asked to bat.
- Rishabh Pant (102*) played a scintillating knock, celebrating his first IPL ton of the season with a somersault
- Mitchell Marsh (78) and Pant shared a 152-run partnership, dismantling RCB bowlers with clean power-hitting
- Nicholas Pooran and Abdul Samad added quick cameos to take LSG to a commanding total
🔍 Turning Points
- Jitesh’s reprieve on a no-ball and a withdrawn appeal for a run-out were pivotal moments
- His blistering sixes under pressure and Mayank’s calm support shifted momentum permanently
RCB now carry a wave of confidence into Qualifier 1 against Punjab Kings, while LSG, despite Pant’s heroics, exit the group stage on a bitter note.