Royal Challengers Bengaluru temporary captain Jitesh Sharma, unable to believe that he delivered a match-winning innings, shared the message of his “mentor and guru” Dinesh Karthik that enabled him to complete an unprecedented chase against Lucknow Super Giants in the last group game of the 18th edition of the IPL. In Bengaluru’s chase of a daunting 228-run total, RCB was reduced to threadbare 123/4 after the ‘Chase Master’ Virat Kohli fell in the 12th over. Jitesh Sharma stepped onto the field and formed partnership with Mayank Agarwal to formulate a plan for RCB’s successful loot in the history of the tournament.
Unbeaten 85 and Fortune Favour Jitesh Sharma in Historic Run Chase
With a rollicking batting performance, Jitesh Sharma left the audience mesmerized by his unbeaten 85 off just 33 deliveries at a strike rate of 257.58, his highest in the history of the cash-rich league. While constructing an unbeaten 107-run stand with Mayank, Jitesh suffered from cramps and vowed that they would take forward the momentum to the next match.
“I will not be able to express my thoughts! I can’t believe I played that knock. When Virat bhai was out, I was just thinking of taking it deep. As my mentor and guru Dinesh [Karthik] anna says, just take it deep,” Jitesh said in the post-match presentation.
Jitesh definitely did have luck on his side. In the 17th over, RCB nearly lost Jitesh Sharma twice. He drove the ball off the first ball into Badoni’s hands, but Digvesh had come over the return crease with his back foot, so it was a no-ball. On the next ball, he crunched the ball off to the stands to register his maiden IPL fifty.
The pivotal moment occurred on the final delivery of the over. Digvesh managed to beat Jitesh to the non-striker’s end. The bails dislodged before Jitesh’s bat had fully crossed the crease. However, he remained not out after Lucknow captain Rishabh Pant withdrew the appeal.
RCB’s Perfect Away Record Sets Up Strong Playoff Push
“I was getting cramps because all the load was on me, I have Virat bhai, Krunal bhai and Bhuvi bhai with me. I feel excited that I’m playing with them. We want to enjoy the moment. But we’ll try to recover well. We’ll look to carry the momentum into the next match,” he added.
RCB’s record-breaking chase maintained their flawless away record. This achievement has set them on course for a top-two finish, something they haven’t accomplished since 2016. In their seven away matches, Bengaluru has remained unbeaten, claiming victory in every single one. They are now the first team in the tournament’s history to achieve such a feat.
With the focus now shifting to their upcoming clash against Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 on Thursday, Jitesh confirmed that Josh Hazlewood is set to make his return to the playing XI after recovering from a shoulder injury.
“Credit goes to Rajat. I was responsible for maintaining his record. Hazlewood will perhaps play in the knockout. We have a strong belief system. We have match winners. Look at our playing XI, and we have match winners,” he concluded.
