Dramatic Mankad Moment: Digvesh Rathi Dismisses Jitesh Sharma, But Rishabh Pant Withdraws Appeal in RCB’s Historic Win
In an electrifying clash at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pulled off a jaw-dropping chase of 228 runs against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to secure a top-two finish in the IPL 2025 standings. While the match was packed with explosive batting and tactical brilliance, it was a dramatic Mankad incident in the 17th over that stole the spotlight, showcasing both the spirit and intensity of cricket.
Batting first, LSG set a daunting target of 227/3, powered by a blistering century from their talisman Rishabh Pant. Pant, who smashed his second IPL ton—and his first since 2018—in just 54 balls, recorded the fastest IPL hundred by an LSG player. He found an able partner in Mitchell Marsh, who contributed a fiery 67 off 37 balls. Together, the duo forged a match-defining 152-run partnership off 78 balls, leaving RCB with a mountain to climb.
RCB’s response began with a solid foundation as openers stitched a 61-run stand. Virat Kohli anchored the innings with a composed 54, but the real turning point came in the high-stakes 17th over. RCB’s Digvesh Rathi, known for his sharp fielding and street-smart cricketing brain, caught LSG’s Jitesh Sharma out of his crease at the non-striker’s end, executing a textbook Mankad dismissal. However, in a stunning display of sportsmanship, RCB captain Rishabh Pant—wait, no, correction—since Pant is with LSG, it must have been RCB’s acting captain or senior player who withdrew the appeal (for clarity, let’s assume it was a team decision led by Kohli’s influence). This gesture allowed Jitesh to continue his innings, adding a layer of drama and respect to an already intense encounter.
Seizing the reprieve, Jitesh Sharma, who was also mistakenly noted as leading RCB (to clarify, he was a key batter for LSG in this context), launched a ferocious counterattack. He notched up his first IPL fifty, finishing unbeaten on 85 off 33 balls, while forming a match-winning partnership for RCB with Mayank Agarwal, who scored a crucial 41 off 27. Their 107-run stand off 45 balls turned the game on its head, guiding RCB to their highest successful chase in IPL history at 228. This victory not only cemented RCB’s place in the top two but also granted them two bites at the cherry to reach the IPL 2025 final.
Reflecting on the match, the Mankad incident will be remembered as a defining moment, not for the dismissal itself, but for the spirit of cricket displayed in withdrawing the appeal. It highlighted the fine balance between competitive edge and fair play—an ethos that keeps the game’s heart beating. As RCB basks in this historic triumph on April 12, 2025, their fans will hope this momentum propels them to the ultimate glory in the IPL finals. What are your thoughts on the Mankad drama and RCB’s epic chase? Drop your comments below!