IPL 2025: Jitesh (85*) trumps Pant (118*) as RCB seal Qualifier One spot

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a top-two finish at the end of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as they chased 228 to beat Lucknow Super Giants in an enthralling final match of the group stage.

Virat Kohli’s eighth half-century of the tournament helped set RCB’s platform and build a recovery from losing two wickets in two balls to New Zealand seamer Will O’Rourke, including England’s Liam Livingstone for a golden duck.

Kohli fell for 54, but a sensational stand of 107 from just 45 balls between stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma and Mayank Agarwal sealed a six-wicket win with eight balls remaining.

In an eventful 17th over bowled by spinner Digvesh Singh Rathi, Jitesh survived being dismissed from a no-ball and then the bowler tried to run him out in his follow-through at the non-striker’s end – often known as a Mankad.

Jitesh was out of his crease, but LSG captain Rishabh Pant withdrew the appeal and left RCB needing 28 from the last three overs.

Jitesh made the most of his lifeline, striking two fours and three sixes- including one for the winning runs- from his next eight balls, and finished unbeaten on 85 from 33.

O’Rourke’s two wickets counted for very little in the end, as he finished with figures of 2-74.

LSG were already eliminated before the match, but Pant’s stunning 118 not out from 61 balls was in vain as they were unable to finish their campaign on a high.

Pant hit 11 fours and eight sixes, and added 152 for the second wicket with Australia’s Mitchell Marsh, who made a blistering 67 from 37 balls in their imposing 227-3.

RCB have never won the tournament, but the win gives them two chances to reach the IPL final.

The winner of the first qualifier between RCB and Punjab Kings, who finished top, will proceed to the final on June 3, but the loser will get another opportunity by facing the winner of the Eliminator.

Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians, who finished third and fourth respectively, play in the Eliminator on May 30. (BBC)

IPL play-off schedule

May 29: Qualifier One – Punjab Kings v Royal Challengers Bengaluru

May 30: Eliminator – Gujarat Titans v Mumbai Indians

June 1: Qualifier Two – loser of Qualifier One v winner of Eliminator

June 3: Final – winner of Qualifier One v winner of Qualifier Two