Jitesh Sharma powers RCB to storm into Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025

Skipper Jitesh Sharma produced a breathtaking knock of 85* off just 33 balls, a Player of the Match effort, to lead RCB to the third-highest successful run chase in IPL history.

With this triumph, RCB not only booked a date with Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 but also etched their name in the record books by becoming the first team ever to win all seven away matches in a single IPL season.

Earlier, RCB won the toss and opted to bowl in this all-important final league encounter, while LSG, already out of playoff contention, made a few changes. Aiden Markram missed the game due to international commitments, allowing Matthew Breetzke to make his IPL batting debut.

However, the South African couldn't make a mark as he fell to Nuwan Thushara in the third over. LSG skipper Rishabh Pant walked in at No. 3 and immediately took control. Alongside the consistent Mitchell Marsh, Pant steadied the innings before unleashing an onslaught. The duo powered LSG to 100/1 at the halfway mark.

Marsh continued his phenomenal form, notching up his seventh fifty-plus score this season and breaching the 600-run mark in IPL 2025. As the RCB bowlers toiled, Pant began to accelerate and the duo combined for a mammoth 152-run stand, LSG’s second-highest ever in IPL history.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar eventually dismissed Marsh for a well-made 67(37), but Pant, undeterred, brought up a sensational hundred, his first of the season, off just 54 deliveries. Celebrating with a somersault, the LSG captain ended the innings unbeaten on a scintillating 118* off 61 balls, taking his side to a daunting 227/3.

Chasing 228, RCB openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli launched into LSG’s bowling attack right from the outset. They smashed 31 runs in the first two overs. Despite the flurry of boundaries, Salt fell in the final over of the powerplay for 30(19), with RCB cruising at 66/1 after six overs, notably, without hitting a single six.

Just as RCB looked to consolidate, Will O’Rourke struck twice in the eighth over, removing Rajat Patidar and Liam Livingstone off consecutive deliveries. RCB were suddenly under pressure at 90/3. Virat Kohli, however, continued to deliver, crafting a fluent 54(30) and bringing up his third consecutive 600+ run season. His dismissal in the 12th over by Avesh Khan left RCB at 132/4, with the required rate climbing.

Enter Jitesh Sharma. The RCB captain took center stage and turned the tide single-handedly. Alongside Mayank Agarwal, he stitched a crucial partnership that kept the chase alive.

The turning point came in the 16th over when Digvesh appeared to dismiss Jitesh for 49, only for it to be declared a no-ball. Jitesh capitalized by slamming a six on the free-hit, bringing up his first-ever TATA IPL half-century in just 22 balls.

He didn’t stop there. The next over saw him take O’Rourke apart for 21 runs, bringing RCB within touching distance. With just 7 needed off 12, Jitesh fittingly finished things off in the 19th over with a towering six, sealing the six-wicket win.

Jitesh remained unbeaten on 85*(33), while Mayank Agarwal provided solid support with 41*(23) as RCB completed the chase in 18.4 overs.

With this victory, RCB climbed to second place on the points table with 19 points from 14 games. They will now face Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 on Thursday, May 29, at the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.

As for LSG, they ended their campaign on a high-scoring note but will rue the missed opportunities earlier in the tournament that kept them out of playoff contention.

(With inputs from IPL website)