Jitesh Sharma Leads RCB to Thrilling Victory Over Lucknow Super Giants

Jitesh Sharma's Stellar Performance

Jitesh Sharma expressed immense joy after orchestrating a remarkable run chase against the Lucknow Super Giants, propelling the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a six-wicket victory and securing the second position on the IPL 2025 points table.

His impressive unbeaten score of 85 runs off just 33 deliveries enabled RCB to successfully chase down LSG's formidable total of 227 runs in a mere 18.4 overs. Following the match, Jitesh shared that he was still absorbing the significance of his performance.

Reflections on the Match

“I can't put my feelings into words! I am in disbelief over my innings. When Virat bhai got out, my focus shifted to taking the innings deep. As my mentor Dinesh [Karthik] anna advises, I aimed to take it deep. I was experiencing cramps due to the pressure! Playing alongside Virat bhai, Krunal bhai, and Bhuvi bhai is exhilarating. We want to savor this moment, but we also need to recover well and maintain our momentum for the next match.”

Jitesh also acknowledged Rajat Patidar's consistent performance and hinted at potential squad enhancements as they approach the knockout stages.

Looking Ahead

“The credit goes to Rajat. I felt responsible for upholding his record. Hazlewood is likely to join us for the knockout stage. We have a strong belief in our team, filled with match-winners. Just look at our playing XI; we have several game-changers.”

With this victory, RCB has surpassed the Gujarat Titans to secure the second spot in the league stage and will now face the Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 Qualifier.

Match Highlights

RCB found themselves in a challenging position at 123/4 in the 12th over after Virat Kohli was dismissed for a solid 54 runs. However, Jitesh Sharma, alongside Mayank Agarwal (41* off 23), formed a remarkable partnership that led the team to victory with eight balls remaining.

Earlier, Rishabh Pant's outstanding unbeaten 118 and Mitchell Marsh's 67 runs had propelled LSG to a daunting score of 227/3. Despite this, RCB's batting lineup proved too strong. Will O’Rourke had a difficult outing, conceding 74 runs in his four overs.

RCB's current momentum sets the stage for an exciting encounter against the top-ranked PBKS in the Qualifier, with both teams aiming for a direct entry into the final.