Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) achieved their biggest successful run-chase in Indian Premier League (IPL) history on Tuesday, May 27, at the Ekana Cricket Stadium thanks to a brilliant effort by Jitesh Sharma against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). They secured a place in Qualifier 1 by chasing down a 228-run target with six wickets and eight balls remaining to finish at No. 2 on the points table.
RCB had just lost Virat Kohli for a 30-ball 54 when Jitesh, the acting captain, came out to bat in the 12th over. To win off 52 deliveries, the visitors required 105 runs. With a final score of 85 from 33 deliveries, the wicketkeeper-batter completely destroyed the LSG bowlers. He and Mayank Agarwal (41*) had an undefeated partnership of 107 off 45 balls, which helped RCB win handily.
Tom Moody lauded Jitesh’s bravery, calling it by far the best hit of the 2025 IPL.
Given all the odds against him, the former Australian cricket player was taken aback by Jitesh’s composure as he went about his work.
“In my opinion, the innings is by far the best of the IPL this season. We’ve witnessed some amazing knocks from both young and elderly, but this one is just amazing. Afterwards, Moody told ESPNcricinfo.
“With their backs to the wall, Kohli and [Phil] Salt in the sheds, the team was completely opposed to it. Despite a strong headwind, he chose to ignore it and simply dissected the game. In addition to dissecting the game, he played shrewdly; his approach gave the impression that he had been there and done it countless times before,” he continued.
As a mid-order hitter, you’re spending a lot of money for precisely this: Mukund Abhinav
Jitesh did occasionally get a reprieve. He was caught off a no-ball and survived a run-out opportunity. At the non-strikers’ end, the 31-year-old also avoided a run-out attempt.
“Jitesh rode his luck and slammed a memorable knock under pressure,” said former India opener Abhinav Mukund.
“It’s a positive indicator for any IPL player, isn’t it? In the final game, they were 172 for 3 after chasing 232; they were all out at 189. I am aware that the wickets fell before him, but immediately following the pause in the final game, the pressure mounted. When he got out of the no-ball, I had the same worry, but there, luck is a lovely thing. ‘Okay, this time I’m not making a mistake again,’ you declare after an interval of reprieve. That’s precisely what took place,” Mukund stated.
“I’m thrilled for Jitesh, but as a mid-order batter, this is precisely what you’re paying a lot of money for. And he has demonstrated that a great deal. “This guy has one better, I would think, with 85* off 33,” he said, “on a night when your best wicketkeeper or your World Cup wicketkeeper [Pant] gets a hundred and everyone is happy.”
Mitchell Marsh’s 37-ball 67 and Rishabh Pant’s brilliant 118* off 61 balls earlier in the game enabled LSG reach an enormous 227/3. But it wasn’t enough to guarantee the home team a victory.
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