Jitesh Sharma bowled an outstanding performance against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Tuesday, May 27, at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, assisting Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in completing the most successful run chase in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. They chased down a 228-run target with six wickets and eight balls to spare, finishing second on the points table and securing a ticket in Qualifier 1.
When Jitesh Sharma, the stand-in captain, walked out to bat in the 12th over, RCB had just lost Virat Kohli for 54 off 30 balls.
The visitors needed 105 runs to win off 52 deliveries. The wicketkeeper-batsman hammered the LSG bowlers and finished undefeated on 85 runs from 33 deliveries. His unbroken partnership of 107 off 45 balls with Mayank Agarwal (41*) helped RCB win by a comfortable margin.
Tom Moody lauded Jitesh’s exploits, hailing it as the finest knock of IPL 2025 by far. The former Australian cricketer was taken aback by Jitesh’s cool demeanour while going about his work, especially given the circumstances.
“For me, the innings is by far the best of the IPL this season. We’ve seen some amazing knocks from young and elderly, but this one is just outstanding!” Moody stated following the match.
“The team was utterly against it – backs to the wall, Kohli in the sheds, [Phil] Salt in the sheds. There was a strong breeze, but he ignored it all and ripped the game apart. He not only dismantled the game, but he also played wisely; it was as if he had been there and done it many, many times before,” he continued.
This is exactly what you’re paying the big dollars for as a middle-order batter. Abhinav Mukund
Jitesh received a few reprieves here and there. He survived a run-out attempt but was caught off a no-ball. The 31-year-old also evaded a run-out attempt at the non-strikers end.
Former India opener Abhinav Mukund stated that Jitesh rode his luck and delivered a spectacular knock under pressure.
“And that’s a terrific sign for any IPL player, right? They were 172 for 3 in the last game, chasing 232; they were 189 all out. I understand the wickets went before him, but the pressure rose in the final game, right after the pause. I had the same concern when he came out of that no-ball, but luck is a wonderful thing. You receive a reprieve, and you say, ‘Okay, this time I’m not going to make a mistake.’ “That’s exactly what happened,” Mukund stated.
“I’m overjoyed for Jitesh, but this is exactly what you pay a premium for as a middle-order hitter. And he’s shown that numerous times. On a night when your top wicketkeeper or World Cup wicketkeeper [Pant] scores a century and everyone is thrilled, I believe this man has gone one better with 85* off 33,” he continued.
Earlier in the contest, Rishabh Pant’s brilliant 118* off 61 balls and Mitchell Marsh‘s 37-ball 67 helped LSG score a mammoth 227/3. However, it was insufficient to earn a victory for the home team.
India
