Lucknow, May 27: In a contest that will be remembered as one of the finest run-chases in IPL history, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) produced a spellbinding batting performance to defeat Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by six wickets and storm into Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League, here at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Tuesday night.
Set a daunting target of 228, RCB’s chase was laced with drama, blistering stroke-play and fearless intent as they hunted down the target with remarkable ease, crossing the line in just 18.4 overs — with eight deliveries to spare. Virat Kohli gave the team a brisk start with a 30-ball 54, but it was the electric partnership between Jitesh Sharma and Mayank Agarwal that truly turned the tide.
Jitesh, who walked in with the scoreboard reading a tense 123/4, turned into an unstoppable force.
His unbeaten 85 came off just 33 balls and included an array of ferocious hits — a knock that not only broke the back of LSG’s bowling but also their morale. Partnering him was Mayank Agarwal, equally efficient and composed, who remained unbeaten on 41 off 23 balls. The duo added a game-defining 107-run stand for the fifth wicket, steering RCB safely to the playoffs in dramatic fashion.
Earlier in the evening, it was Rishabh Pant who had lit up the Lucknow sky with a sparkling unbeaten century — his first of the season and second overall in the IPL. The LSG skipper smashed 118 off just 61 balls, striking 11 fours and eight sixes. Alongside Mitchell Marsh (67 off 37), Pant put on a 152-run stand for the second wicket, laying a formidable foundation for LSG’s imposing total of 227/3.
However, despite the scoreboard pressure, RCB’s chase never looked out of control. Phil Salt (30) and Kohli stitched a solid opening stand of 61.
Kohli, in vintage touch, pierced the field with grace and authority before falling to Avesh Khan. The middle-order hiccup — which saw Rajat Patidar (14) and Liam Livingstone (0) fall in quick succession — threatened to derail the pursuit, but Jitesh’s fearless counterattack ensured the momentum swung RCB’s way decisively.
LSG’s bowling unit, which had looked disciplined in earlier games, wilted under pressure. Will O’Rourke bore the brunt of the onslaught, conceding 74 runs in his four overs, while even their spin options — Shahbaz Ahmed and Digvesh Rathi — found no respite on a pitch that offered little assistance.
With this victory, RCB secured the second spot on the points table and will now face table-toppers Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 on Thursday, a golden chance to book a direct ticket to the IPL 2025 final.
Lucknow’s defeat, though softened by their batting heroics, pushes them out of contention. Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, will lock horns in the Eliminator on Friday. (PTI)
