Rishabh Pant delivered a stunning unbeaten 118 off 61 balls (11 fours, 8 sixes), saving his best for the end, but his efforts were eclipsed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma. Jitesh smashed a breathtaking 85* off just 33 balls (8 fours, 6 sixes), guiding RCB to a six-wicket win and securing their place in IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 for the first time since 2016.
Pant’s explosive 152-run second-wicket partnership with Mitchell Marsh laid the foundation for LSG’s formidable total of 227/3. However, RCB responded with a century stand of their own. Jitesh found a steady ally in Mayank Agarwal, who contributed 20 runs in an unbroken 107-run partnership for the fifth wicket that saw RCB home with 1.2 overs to spare. Earlier, Virat Kohli had chipped in with a crucial 54 off 30 balls, keeping RCB in the hunt during the early part of the chase.
The turning point came in the 12th over, with RCB slightly trailing LSG’s 127/1 at the same stage and Kohli back in the pavilion. With the team under pressure at four down, Jitesh took control of the chase with fearless striking and a touch of luck. While Mayank played the anchor role at the other end, it was Jitesh’s sensational power-hitting that single-handedly propelled RCB into the playoffs.
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Early Fireworks and Quick Strikes in High-Voltage Start
RCB and LSG exchanged early blows in a lively opening phase. Nuwan Thushara, brought in for Lungi Ngidi, had a dramatic first over—beating the bat, conceding two boundaries, and even costing RCB a review. Debutant Matthew Breetzke made an immediate impact, smashing Krunal Pandya for a six in the second over, helping LSG race to 21 in the first two overs. However, his promising start was cut short when a sharp bouncer from Thushara struck him on the helmet, followed by a pinpoint yorker that rattled his stumps.
Rishabh Pant walked in at No. 3 and wasted no time asserting himself, taking Yash Dayal for a six and two boundaries. While Bhuvneshwar Kumar applied pressure with a tight over, Thushara maintained control in his next spell as well—despite Marsh slicing a free-hit for four—with clever variations keeping the batters in check.
Pant-Marsh Onslaught Lays Strong Foundation for LSG
The momentum shifted firmly in LSG’s favour by the seventh over, as Rishabh Pant launched Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a six and a four to break the shackles. Mitchell Marsh, who had briefly lost his rhythm, rediscovered his touch with a big six off Romario Shepherd. Suyash Sharma began with a disciplined over, but Pant soon took him apart with a six and two boundaries, racing to a 29-ball half-century and pushing LSG to 100 at the halfway mark.
Yash Dayal’s return to the attack didn’t help RCB, as he bled 14 runs with both batters finding the boundary at crucial moments. Marsh, with a four and a towering six off Shepherd, crossed 600 runs in the season and brought up the century stand. He soon raised his seventh fifty-plus score of the campaign, off 31 deliveries, by launching Suyash for a six. The over ended with Pant smashing a four and then pulling off a one-handed six that left the crowd stunned.
Pant wasn’t done yet—he followed up with two more sixes off Shepherd, as he and Marsh put LSG in a commanding position heading into the death overs with a second-wicket partnership that oozed class and aggression.
Pant Decimates RCB with Whirlwind Century
The assault showed no signs of slowing down as Mitchell Marsh launched two massive sixes off Bhuvneshwar Kumar, before finally perishing in the same over, edging behind and bringing an end to a mammoth partnership. Nuwan Thushara offered a brief moment of control for RCB, wrapping up his spell with excellent figures of 1 for 26 and conceding just seven in his final over.
But Rishabh Pant remained relentless. He raced to a breathtaking century off just 54 balls, dispatching Bhuvneshwar for two boundaries and celebrating the milestone with a trademark cartwheel. Even in the death overs, Pant kept RCB under pressure, smashing Yash Dayal for a four and a six in the 19th over, before finishing the innings in style with another towering six off Romario Shepherd. His fireworks ensured LSG ended their innings on a high, with momentum firmly on their side.
Salt Falls After Lively Opening Stand
RCB’s chase began on a promising note, with their openers finding boundaries at will. The first three overs yielded eight fours, including a blistering second over from William O’Rourke that saw four boundaries off Virat Kohli’s bat. The 50-run partnership came up quickly in the fourth over, courtesy of two crisp boundaries from Phil Salt off Shahbaz Ahmed.
Avesh Khan was also taken for a couple of boundaries in his opening over, but the momentum was briefly halted when Akash Singh struck. Salt, looking to continue the assault, misjudged a slower short ball outside off and was caught out. Kohli responded with a boundary to finish the over, but the pressure mounted on him and Rajat Patidar—RCB’s Impact substitute at No. 3—to sustain the tempo and anchor the chase.
Kohli, Jitesh, and Mayank Steady RCB’s Chase Amid Middle-Order Jitters
After a brisk start, RCB faced a mini-collapse, but crucial contributions from Virat Kohli, Jitesh Sharma, and Mayank Agarwal kept the chase alive. Rajat Patidar began with a fortunate four off an edge and followed it up with a confident flick for the innings’ first six. However, his innings was cut short at 14 when he hit O’Rourke straight to point. The very next ball saw Liam Livingstone, playing in place of Tim David, fall for a golden duck, trapped in front.
Shahbaz Ahmed tightened the screws in the ninth over despite Kohli finding a boundary, but the RCB skipper responded with poise. He brought up his half-century—and a third consecutive 600-run season—with a boundary off Akash Singh. In the same over, Mayank Agarwal provided momentum with three quick boundaries, taking RCB to a solid 115/3 at the halfway mark.
LSG struck back as Kohli mistimed a shot to long-off off Avesh Khan, but Jitesh Sharma picked up the mantle. He smashed a six and a four in a 17-run over from O’Rourke and survived a run-out scare after a mix-up with Mayank. The pressure further eased in Shahbaz’s next over, which went for 21 runs, reducing the equation to a manageable 51 off the last five overs and reigniting RCB’s hopes.
Jitesh’s Blazing Finish Seals Memorable Win for RCB
Jitesh Sharma turned on the heat in the final overs, delivering a scintillating knock to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their highest-ever successful chase. Needing less than 10 an over, Jitesh struck two boundaries in a 12-run over off Avesh Khan, keeping the momentum firmly with RCB.
He had a stroke of luck on 49 when a reverse sweep off Digvesh Rathi initially looked to have dismissed him, but a third umpire review revealed a back-foot no-ball. Jitesh made full use of the reprieve, smashing the free-hit for a six to reach his half-century in just 22 balls. More drama unfolded when Rathi attempted a non-striker’s run-out, but Rishabh Pant withdrew the appeal, allowing play to continue.
With 28 needed from 18, Jitesh tore into O’Rourke’s final over, hammering two fours and two sixes to reduce the equation to just 7 off 12 balls. Fittingly, it was Jitesh who finished the job, launching Ayush Badoni for a six and letting out a triumphant roar as RCB completed a remarkable victory to secure a spot in the Qualifier.
Brief Scores
Lucknow Super Giants: 227/3 in 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 118*, Mitchell Marsh 67; Nuwan Thushara 1/26)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 230/4 in 18.4 overs (Jitesh Sharma 85*, Virat Kohli 54; William O’Rourke 2/74)
Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 6 wickets.
What’s Next for Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru?
With Lucknow Super Giants’ IPL 2025 journey coming to an end, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will now advance to Mullanpur to face Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 on May 29.
FAQs
Who won the IPL 2025 match between RCB and LSG?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 6 wickets in a thrilling chase.
How many runs did Rishabh Pant score against RCB in IPL 2025?
Rishabh Pant scored an unbeaten 118 off 61 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
What was Jitesh Sharma’s performance in the RCB vs LSG match?
Jitesh Sharma scored a match-winning 85* off 33 balls, guiding RCB to victory.
When is RCB’s next IPL 2025 match after beating LSG?
RCB will face Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 on May 29 at Mullanpur.
What was the highest partnership in the RCB vs LSG IPL 2025 game?
Rishabh Pant and Mitchell Marsh shared a crucial 152-run partnership for LSG’s second wicket.
