There was a display of true sportsmanship in IPL 2025 on Tuesday when Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper Rishabh Pant withdrew his team’s DRS appeal after spinner Digvesh Singh Rathi ran-out Jitesh Sharma at the non-striker’s end.
The incident happened during the 17th over of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s run chase. In the last ball of the over, Digvesh was bowling to Mayank Agarwal but the former noticed Jitesh stepping out of the crease. Digvesh went on to “Mankad” Jitesh at the bowler’s end, with the latter’s bat in the air.
Jitesh hugged Rishabh Pant after the latter’s decision to not review the decision. The umpires did send it to the third umpire for a check, and the verdict was given not out. “The bowler has completed his delivery stride and passed the popping crease,” the third umpire said.
Uthappa and Clarke react to Pant’s appeal withdrawal
Jitesh, Mayank Inspire RCB to Win
Jitesh Sharma was unbeaten at 57 with Mayank Agarwal at 39 not out. Jitesh Sharma and Mayank Agarwal forged an unbeaten 107 runs for the fifth wicket to power Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a six-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow. The three-time champions successfully chased down a target of 228 runs in 18.4 overs.
The stand-in skipper Jitesh remained unbeaten on 85 whereas Mayank Agarwal played a valuable contribution of 41. Earlier, former RCB captain Virat Kohli scored 54 runs from 30 balls as he forged a 61-run stand with Phil Salt (30) for the first wicket.
RCB had won the toss and opted to field first. That decision, however, proved to be a setback as Lucknow Super Giants posted a total of 227/3 from 20 overs. Mitchell Marsh (67) forged a 155-run stand with Rishabh Pant (118) for the second wicket after losing Matthew Breetzke (13) early.
LSG’s season might have got over but Rishabh Pant still had something to give to their fans as he roared back to form with a 54-ball century. However, that eventually went in vain as LSG finished the season in seventh place with 12 points from 14 matches.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, on the other hand, secured themselves a top two finish and will face Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 on Thursday (May 29) in Mullanpur. Five-time champions Mumbai Indians will lock horns against Hardik Pandya’s former side Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator on May 30, which will also take place in Mullanpur.
