IPL 2025: Stand-in skipper Jitesh Sharma ‘stands tall’ against LSG to help RCB finish in top two

RCB defeated LSG by 6 wickets in the high-scoring affair at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, to finish in the top two on the tournament standings at the end of the league stage. Notably, it was a must-win game for RCB to finish in the top two spots on the tournament’s points tally to get two chances of qualification to the tournament’s final on June 3. The visiting skipper, Jitesh Sharma, won the toss and asked LSG to bat first.

Batting first, the hosts posted a big total of 227 runs for the loss of just 3 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Skipper Rishabh Pant smashes his first century in IPL 2025, scoring 118 runs off just 61 balls, with 11 fours and eight sixes. He also caught the attention for his front-flip celebration after completing the century.

Besides Pant, the star in-form opener Mitchell Marsh also smashed 67 runs off just 37 balls, with four fours and five sixes. Nuwan Thushara, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Romario Shepherd scalped a wicket each for RCB in the first innings amidst a forgettable day for RCB bowlers.

Jitesh Sharma’s explosive knock gives RCB two chances for ‘Final’

While chasing the target, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru got a blistering start of 61 runs by the opening duo of Phil Salt and Virat Kohli, in just 5.4 overs. Salt played a quick cameo of 30 runs off just 19 balls, with six fours, followed by Virat Kohli’s amazing knock of 54 runs off just 30 balls, with 10 fours.

Later in the innings, stand-in skipper Jitesh Sharma showcased his brilliance for RCB, smashing an unbeaten and match-winning knock of 85 runs off just 33 balls, with eight fours and six sixes, alongside Mayank Agarwal’s unbeaten 41 runs off just 23 balls, with five fours. On the back of Sharma’s explosive knock, RCB scored 230 runs for losing just 4 wickets in just 18.4 overs to chase down the target with eight balls to spare and win the game by 6 wickets. Jitesh Sharma won the 'Player of the Match' award for his sensational match-winning knock in RCB's favour. 

With this win, RCB have moved to the second spot in the tournament’s points table, following the table toppers, Punjab Kings. Now, RCB and PBKS will face off in the first qualifier of the tournament on Thursday, May 29, in New Chandigarh. The winning side of this game will directly secure a spot in the final. In contrast, the losing side will play the second qualifier against the winning side Eliminator between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans.

Also Read: WATCH: Rishabh Pant pulls off ecstatic front flip celebration after swashbuckling century against RCB