Josh Hazlewood credits Jitesh Sharma as hero of RCB’s win over RR

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood’s 4/33 helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) win their first home game of the IPL 2025 season. The 34-year-old bowled an excellent 19th over against Rajasthan Royals (RR) where he gave away just one run and picked two key wickets. One of the scalps was that of Dhruv Jurel, caught by Jitesh Sharma for 47 runs on the third ball of the penultimate over. 

31-year-old RCB wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma urged skipper Rajat Patidar to go for DRS after Jurel was given not out. The replays showed that Rajasthan Royals’ wicketkeeper had got an edge off his bat. Hazlewood credited Jitesh Sharma as being the unsung hero of the game for his presence of mind behind the stumps. 

The Aussie pacer speaking to the host broadcaster at the end of the game said, “Jitesh is a genius. He has done a few for me throughout the tournament. One with MI with the LBW, and that one tonight. The first win here is massive for the crowd, the home fans. To hit 200 on that wicket as a batting unit was phenomenal. I mixed it up with yorkers here and there, but we took wickets throughout, which was important as well." 

Earlier in the game, Hazlewood had removed dangerous-looking Yashasvi Jaiswal for 49 runs. In the previous two balls, the young batter had smashed the pacer for two fours and a six. Hazlewood’s short ball induced a pull shot off Jaiswal’s bat and Romario Shepherd took an easy catch. 

RCB moves to third spot in points table after win over RR

The 11-run win on Thursday ensured that RCB are now third in the table with 12 points so far. Before this game, Bengaluru had lost three home games but had won all their five games away from home. Rajat Patidar termed the win as ‘much needed’ during the end of the game. 

Patidar also said, “Today the wicket was different and all credit goes to the bowlers after the 10th over. The way they showed courage was tremendous. Initially they batted beautifully; credit goes to them as well. We were searching for wickets. When you get wickets only you can stop runs.”