On May 27, 2025, the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow witnessed a thrilling IPL 2025 clash between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma emerged as the hero for RCB, delivering an unbeaten 85 off 33 balls to chase down a daunting 228, securing a six-wicket victory and a spot in Qualifier 1.
The match, however, was not without its share of drama, particularly involving LSG’s Digvesh Rathi, whose Mankad attempt on Jitesh sparked controversy and added intrigue to an already high-stakes encounter.
Post Match Interview: Jitesh Sharma
Jitesh Sharma’s Match-Winning Knock
Chasing LSG’s formidable total of 227, powered by Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 118 off 61 balls and Mitchell Marsh’s 67 off 37, RCB faced an uphill task. The innings began strongly with Virat Kohli (54 off 30) and Phil Salt (61 in 5.4 overs) providing a blazing start, racing to 50 in just four overs.
However, RCB stumbled to 123 for 4, with LSG’s bowlers, including Akash Singh and Shahbaz Ahmed, applying pressure. Enter Jitesh Sharma, whose explosive batting turned the game on its head.
They are pumped up & HOW 🥳@RCBTweets enter the 🔝 2️⃣ with momentum led by their charismatic skipper Jitesh Sharma 🔥
Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/h5KnqyuYZE #TATAIPL | #LSGvRCB pic.twitter.com/N0YAz0f95u
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 27, 2025
Jitesh’s unbeaten 85 off 33 balls, featuring eight boundaries and six sixes at a strike rate of 257.58, was a masterclass in high-pressure batting. He reached his half-century in just 22 balls, showcasing his ability to combine power with precision. His unbroken 107-run fifth-wicket partnership with Mayank Agarwal (41 off 23 balls) was the cornerstone of RCB’s chase, completed in 18.4 overs with eight balls to spare.
Notable moments included Jitesh depositing a slower ball from Will O’Rourke over long-off for a six and flat-batting a length ball from Shahbaz Ahmed for another maximum. This knock not only secured the third-highest successful chase in IPL history but also propelled RCB to second place in the points table, earning them a Qualifier 1 berth against Punjab Kings on May 29, 2025. Jitesh’s performance was lauded as one of the greatest by an RCB batter, with describing it as a “stellar knock” that “blew LSG out of the park.”
The Drama with Digvesh Rathi
The match’s intensity was amplified by a dramatic incident in the 17th over involving LSG’s Digvesh Rathi and Jitesh Sharma. Rathi, who had returned to the LSG lineup after a one-match suspension for a controversial “notebook” celebration earlier in the season, attempted to Mankad Jitesh at the non-striker’s end on the fifth ball of the over. The third umpire ruled Jitesh not out, as Rathi’s release point was deemed to have occurred before the attempt, rendering the run-out invalid.
Adding to the controversy, LSG captain Rishabh Pant withdrew the appeal during the review, a decision that sparked visible frustration from Virat Kohli in the RCB dressing room, where he was seen nearly throwing a bottle.
The drama didn’t end there. In the same over, Jitesh narrowly escaped dismissal again when he hit a shot to Ayush Badoni at point off the first ball, only for it to be called a rare backfoot no-ball after a review. These incidents heightened the match’s tension, making it a talking point among fans and analysts.
Rathi’s actions, while within the rules, stirred debate about the spirit of the game, especially given his prior disciplinary issues, including being docked half his match fees for a third breach of conduct earlier in the season.
Match Context and Impact
The match was the 70th of IPL 2025 and the final league-stage game, with RCB aiming to secure a top-two finish. Jitesh, stepping in as captain with regular skipper Rajat Patidar on the bench, also made headlines at the toss by mistakenly handing over the wrong team sheet.
Despite this blunder, his leadership and batting prowess shone through. RCB’s victory marked their seventh consecutive away win, a historic feat in IPL history, and positioned them as strong contenders for the title.
Jitesh’s performance drew praise from teammates and mentors, with him crediting Dinesh Karthik’s advice to “take it deep” for his approach after Kohli’s dismissal. His ability to handle pressure, coupled with his explosive batting, underscored his growing stature in Indian cricket.
Jitesh Sharma’s unbeaten 85 will be etched in IPL lore as a defining moment of the 2025 season, not only for its statistical brilliance but for its impact in securing RCB’s playoff berth. The drama with Digvesh Rathi, from the Mankad attempt to the no-ball controversy, added a layer of intensity that made this match unforgettable.
As RCB heads into Qualifier 1 against Punjab Kings, Jitesh’s heroics and leadership have instilled confidence in a team chasing their maiden IPL title. This clash, blending sublime cricketing skill with high drama, will remain a highlight of IPL 2025.
Also Read: LSG vs RCB: Virat Kohli’s Historic 9,000 RCB Runs Define IPL 2025 Consistency