When Jitesh Sharma came to the crease, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were in a tight spot, with only a 21.09% chance of winning, according to ESPNcricinfo’s forecaster. Yet, the explosive batter turned the game on its head, finishing with an unbeaten 85 off just 33 balls, leading RCB to victory with eight balls to spare against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
His innings ranks at No. 23 for highest IPL scores of the 2025 season, but experts Tom Moody and Abhinav Mukund agree it was the innings of the season. Moody praised Jitesh’s audacity and maturity, saying, “He took the game apart. He played like he’d been there before, making smart decisions under pressure.”
Despite surviving a few lucky moments—such as a no-ball reprieve and a missed run-out—Jitesh held his ground and closed the game with brilliant stroke play, finding gaps effortlessly. His aggressive approach, paired with the lessons from RCB’s earlier loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, showcased his growth as a cricketer.
Abhinav Mukund, speaking on Time Out, highlighted how Jitesh’s composure in handling pressure was key: “After the no-ball reprieve, Jitesh didn’t make the same mistake again. That’s the sign of a true IPL cricketer.”
On a night when Rishabh Pant’s century was celebrated, Jitesh’s finishing touch of 85* was even more remarkable, proving his worth as a game-changing middle-order batter.
