Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a breathtaking batting performance to beat Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets and secure a top-two finish in the IPL 2025 standings. Chasing a daunting 229, captain Jitesh Sharma led from the front with a scintillating 85* off just 33 balls to complete the chase in only 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rishabh Pant lit up the Kotla with a spectacular unbeaten century. After losing opener Bretzke early for 14, Pant combined with Mitchell Marsh to add 152 runs for the second wicket. Marsh struck a fluent 67 off 37 balls, while Pant remained unbeaten on 118 from 61 deliveries, peppering the boundaries with 11 fours and 8 sixes. Lucknow closed on 227/3, setting Bengaluru a massive target.
RCB responded with authority. Phil Salt got the chase going with a brisk 30, and Virat Kohli added 54 from 30 balls in a typically commanding knock. However, at 90/3, the match was delicately poised.
That changed swiftly as Mayank Agarwal (41 off 23) and Jitesh Sharma launched a counterattack. Jitesh’s knock was a captain’s innings in every sense — fearless, fluent, and tactically sound. His innings included 8 fours and 6 sixes, as RCB dismantled the LSG bowling attack with brutal efficiency.
For Lucknow, William O’Rourke picked up two wickets, while Akash Maharaj and Avesh Khan claimed one apiece.
The result all but ends Lucknow’s hopes of a top-two finish, while Bengaluru march into the playoffs brimming with momentum. Under Jitesh Sharma’s leadership, RCB now look every bit like genuine title contenders.