• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Captain Led From The Front Jitesh Sharmas Fireworks Leave Mayank Agarwal Speechless

"Captain Led From The Front" Jitesh Sharma’s Fireworks Leave Mayank Agarwal Speechless

Aakash Saini

Mayank Agarwal and Jitesh Sharma [Source: IPLT20.COM]Mayank Agarwal and Jitesh Sharma [Source: IPLT20.COM]

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) outclassed Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in a high-scoring thriller at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium to sign off from the league stage of the IPL 2025 season in style. Chasing 228 runs for a win and for a spot in the first qualifier, interim RCB skipper Jitesh Sharma clattered eight fours and six huge sixes in his thunderous 33-ball 85*.

After RCB slipped to 123-4 in 11.2 overs, Jitesh formed a match-defining partnership with senior middle-order partner Mayank Agarwal. The two cricketers compounded 107 unbeaten runs for the fifth wicket from just 44 deliveries to confirm a top two finish for the RCB.

Mayank hails Jitesh Sharma’s match-winning madness

While speaking after the match, Mayank Agarwal unveiled his game plan with Jitesh Sharma from the RCB run-chase when they formed forces at 123-4. The cricketer said that his primary job was to simply give back the strike to a rampaging Jitesh. He said:

“There is very little talking to do. I just had to give the strike, and I think it was a wicketkeepers' game. Jitesh put up a show, and he was simply outstanding. There are no words to describe what he did.”

Mayank Agarwal also praised Jitesh Sharma for ably leading his side from the front after their team had lost two quick wickets during the middle overs. He added:

“We were just calculating, and the wicket was good enough to target the fast bowlers. It builds a lot of confidence, momentum and belief as well. We could not do it last game, but we definitely made amends, and the captain led from the front. When I came, we lost two quick wickets. The plan was to build a partnership, and we knew the wicket was good enough.”

Chasing 228, Mayank Agarwal himself blasted a swift 23-ball 41* with five elegant boundaries. Virat Kohli chipped in with a quick 30-ball 54 to lay out the foundation at the top of the order.

RCB will now face Punjab Kings in the first qualifier match in Mullanpur on May 29.