In a pulsating encounter that served as the grand finale of the IPL 2025 league stage, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pulled off a sensational record chase of 228 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), with stand-in skipper Jitesh Sharma playing the innings of a lifetime – an unbeaten 85 off just 33 balls. This incredible knock overshadowed a magnificent century from LSG captain Rishabh Pant (118* off 61 balls) and sealed RCB’s spot in Qualifier 1, marking their first top-two finish since 2016.
The high-stakes clash at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, lived up to its billing as a do-or-die fixture for RCB to secure a direct entry into the Qualifier 1.
LSG’s Mammoth Total Powered by Pant’s Masterclass
Electing to bat first after Jitesh Sharma won the toss for RCB, LSG got off to a decent start. However, it was the explosive partnership between Rishabh Pant and Mitchell Marsh that truly set the stage for a daunting total. Pant, who had been in patchy form this season, unleashed his full repertoire of strokes, smashing 11 fours and 8 sixes in his 61-ball innings. He reached his second IPL century, a moment of personal triumph, and powered LSG to their highest-ever IPL total of 227 for 3. Marsh also contributed with a well-compiled fifty, and their 152-run second-wicket stand laid a formidable foundation.
RCB’s Audacious Chase:
Chasing 228, RCB needed an exceptional batting performance, and they got it. Virat Kohli provided a blistering start, scoring a quickfire fifty off just 27 balls and ensuring RCB kept pace with the required run rate in the powerplay. Phil Salt also played a valuable cameo.
However, a brief wobble saw RCB lose Rajat Patidar and Liam Livingstone in quick succession, leaving them at 123 for 4 in 11.4 overs, with the asking rate climbing towards 13. This is when Jitesh Sharma, leading the side in the absence of a regular captain, stepped up in monumental fashion.
Jitesh, who had endured a mixed season with the bat prior to this innings, found his rhythm from the outset. He dispatched LSG bowlers to all parts of the ground, hitting 8 fours and 6 sixes. His partnership with Mayank Agarwal (who played a crucial supporting role, contributing 20 runs in their 107-run stand) was instrumental in taking RCB closer to the target.
Despite a moment of controversy where Jitesh was “Mankaded” by LSG bowler Digvesh Rathi, Rishabh Pant, in a display of sportsmanship, withdrew the appeal, allowing Jitesh to continue his onslaught. This proved to be a pivotal moment. Jitesh reached his fifty in just 22 balls, his first IPL half-century, and then accelerated further. He dismantled the LSG bowling attack, notably taking 20 runs off Will O’Rourke’s final over, effectively sealing the game for RCB.
Jitesh finished the chase with a six, guiding RCB to 230 for 4 with 1.2 overs to spare, marking their highest-ever successful run chase in IPL history.
Playoff Picture and What Lies Ahead
This victory propelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the second spot in the IPL 2025 points table, finishing with 19 points, same as table-toppers Punjab Kings but slightly behind on net run rate. As a result, RCB will now face Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 on Thursday, May 29, at Mullanpur. This gives RCB two shots at reaching the grand final.
For Lucknow Super Giants, Rishabh Pant’s heroic century ultimately went in vain. The defeat pushed them down to the seventh spot on the points table, missing out on the playoffs.
The thrilling conclusion to the league stage sets up an exciting playoff phase, with RCB carrying immense momentum and confidence after their historic chase. Jitesh Sharma, who had a season batting average of 39.5 and a strike rate of 171.73 in IPL 2025, truly delivered when it mattered most, etching his name into RCB’s history books with this unforgettable performance.
