IPL 2025: Mayank falls short of words to praise Jitesh`s match-winning knock

Royal Challengers Bengaluru batsman, Mayank Agarwal, was falling short of words to describe the brilliant knock delivered by RCB`s stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma during the IPL 2025 match against Lucknow Super Giants.

“There is very little talking to do. I just had to give the strike, and I think it was a wicketkeeper`s game. Jitesh put up a show, and he was simply outstanding. There are no words to describe what he did,” said Mayank post-victory against LSG.

During the run chase, Jitesh played an unbeaten knock of 85 runs off just 33 deliveries, including eight boundaries and six maximums. On the other hand, Mayank, too, stayed unbeaten on 41 runs in 23 balls, which was laced with five boundaries.

The duo stitched an unbeaten partnership of 107 runs against the Rishabh Pant-led LSG.

Further speaking, Mayank revealed the conversation he was conducting with Jitesh while chasing the target at the Ekana Cricket Stadium B Ground.

“We were just calculating, and the wicket was good enough to target the fast bowlers. It builds a lot of confidence, momentum and belief as well. We could not do it last game, but we definitely made amends, and the captain led from the front. When I came, we lost two quick wickets. The plan was to build a partnership, and we knew the wicket was good enough,” concluded the 34-year-old.

Jitesh and Mayank picked up the momentum and steered Bengaluru to the franchise`s highest run-chase in the tournament`s history. The victory in return also helped RCB to seal a spot in Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2025.

They will now lock horns against Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2025 on May 28.

In the first essay of the Ekana match, LSG skipper Rishabh Pant played an unbeaten knock of 118 runs off just 61 balls. His knock was laced with 11 boundaries and eight maximums, which helped the side post a target of 228 runs for the loss of three wickets.

Nuwan Thushara, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Romario Shepherd were the only bowlers who claimed one wicket each to their names.

(With ANI Inputs)

This article first appeared on Mid Day