In a beautiful gesture of camaraderie and sportsmanship, Mumbai Indians (MI) star batter and India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, shared a heartwarming message for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Jitesh Sharma, following the latter’s explosive and match-winning knock in RCB’s final league match of IPL 2025 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
The 70th match of the IPL 2025 season, held at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday, May 27, turned out to be a high-scoring thriller that saw some exceptional individual performances and a stunning run chase from RCB.
Pant Powers LSG to a Mammoth Total
LSG, batting first, piled up a daunting total of 227/3 in their 20 overs. Leading from the front, captain Rishabh Pant played a sensational knock, smashing an unbeaten 118 off 61 balls, decorated with 11 boundaries and 8 sixes, showcasing both power and elegance. Mitchell Marsh provided strong support with a crucial 67 off 37 balls, setting RCB a challenging target.
Kohli, Jitesh, and Mayank Seal the Chase
In reply, Virat Kohli provided RCB with a blazing start, smashing 54 runs off just 30 deliveries — his eighth half-century of the season. His aggressive knock set the tone early and laid a solid foundation for what unfolded as a remarkable and successful run chase.
However, the match truly turned on its head thanks to a blistering fifth-wicket partnership between stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma and Mayank Agarwal. Coming in under pressure, the duo stitched together a 107-run stand off just 45 balls, completely taking the game away from LSG.
Jitesh Sharma, in particular, played the knock of his IPL career, remaining unbeaten on 85 off just 33 balls, laced with 8 fours and 6 sixes. His aggressive strokeplay, calmness under pressure, and calculated risks were hailed by fans and cricket pundits alike. Mayank Agarwal offered excellent support with an unbeaten 41 off 23 balls, helping RCB sail to a memorable six-wicket win with eight deliveries to spare.
Suryakumar Yadav’s Heartfelt Message
Shortly after the match, Suryakumar Yadav took to Instagram to share a story praising Jitesh Sharma’s outstanding performance. In a touching message, he wrote:
“Ache logo ke sath acha hi hota hai. Special knock, what timing. Bhauuu.”
(Good things happen to good people. Special knock, what timing. Brother!)
This message from SKY, known for his own flair and timing with the bat, was appreciated by fans, highlighting the deep mutual respect among India’s current generation of cricketers. The gesture went viral, with fans lauding both Jitesh’s performance and Suryakumar’s humility and support for a fellow Indian cricketer.
RCB March into Playoffs
With this crucial victory, Royal Challengers Bengaluru wrapped up the league stage in second place, finishing with 19 points from 14 games. The win significantly lifted their confidence ahead of the playoffs and highlighted the team’s strong batting depth and remarkable resilience under pressure.
They now gear up for a crucial playoff clash against Shreyas Iyer’s Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, with a direct spot in the IPL 2025 final at stake. With Kohli in prime form and players like Jitesh Sharma stepping up at crucial moments, RCB will look to continue their strong run and possibly end their title drought this season.
