RCB secures top-two IPL 2025 finish, to face Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's thrilling six-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants not only marked their highest IPL chase but also made them the first team to win all seven away league matches in a single season. This victory propelled RCB to 19 points, tying with Punjab Kings and setting up a high-stakes Qualifier 1 clash on May 29 in New Chandigarh.

Sources:
ESPNcricinfoSportsTimesofindia+10
Updated 3h ago
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Sources: IndiatodayTimesofindiaEspncricinfo+5
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched a top-two finish in IPL 2025 by chasing down a daunting 228-run target against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their final league match at Ekana Stadium, Lucknow.

The thrilling six-wicket victory, achieved with eight balls to spare, marked RCB's highest successful chase in IPL history and the third highest overall in the tournament.

Jitesh Sharma's unbeaten 85 off 33 balls, featuring 8 fours and 6 sixes, was pivotal in steering RCB to victory, earning him Player of the Match honors. Supported by Virat Kohli's 54 and an unbroken 107-run partnership with Mayank Agarawal, RCB overcame LSG's strong total of 227/3, powered by skipper Rishabh Pant's explosive unbeaten 118.

This win also made RCB the first team in IPL history to win all seven of their away league matches in a single season, showcasing remarkable consistency and mental toughness.

"Jitesh Sharma played the innings of his life," said analysts, highlighting his maiden IPL half-century and crucial role in securing RCB's Qualifier 1 berth.

The victory elevated RCB to 19 points, tying with Punjab Kings but finishing second on the points table. They will face Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 on May 29 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.

The match also featured a notable moment when LSG captain Rishabh Pant withdrew a non-striker run-out appeal against Jitesh Sharma, exemplifying sportsmanship but having no impact on the outcome.

RCB's balanced team composition, strategic planning, and resilience under pressure have been key to their historic away record and strong IPL 2025 campaign.

Key stats:
- RCB chased 231/3 in 18.4 overs
- Jitesh Sharma: 85* off 33 balls
- Rishabh Pant: 118* off 61 balls
- Virat Kohli: 54 runs
- RCB's seventh consecutive away win
- Third highest successful chase in IPL history

RCB now prepares for Qualifier 1 with high confidence, aiming to capitalize on their momentum and historic achievements this season.
Sources: IndiatodayEspncricinfo
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured a top-two finish in IPL 2025 by chasing down a record 228 runs against Lucknow Super Giants, winning by six wickets. Jitesh Sharma's unbeaten 85 off 33 balls led RCB to Qualifier 1 against Punjab Kings on May 29 in New Chandigarh.
Section 1 background
The Headline

RCB's record chase seals top-two IPL finish

I will take care of everything this season.
Jitesh Sharma
Indiatoday
I withdrew the run-out appeal against Jitesh Sharma to show sportsmanship.
Rishabh Pant
LSG captain
Key Facts
  • Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) set a challenging target of 228 runs at Ekana Stadium, powered by Rishabh Pant's unbeaten 118 and Mitchell Marsh's 67.Sports2
  • Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) chased down the highest-ever total at Ekana Stadium, finishing at 231/4 in 18.4 overs to win by 6 wickets with 8 balls remaining.TimesofindiaIndiatodayESPNcricinfo+1
  • Jitesh Sharma played a sensational unbeaten innings of 85 off 33 balls, his maiden IPL fifty, crucial in sealing RCB's victory and Qualifier 1 berth.IndiatodayCricbuzz2
  • RCB's victory marked their highest successful chase in IPL history and the third highest overall in the tournament's history.EspncricinfoESPNcricinfo
  • Rishabh Pant withdrew a run-out appeal against Jitesh Sharma at the non-striker's end, showcasing sportsmanship, but MCC rules confirmed Jitesh was not out regardless.Sports
  • With this win, RCB became the first team in IPL history to win all seven of their away league matches in a single season, finishing with 19 points and securing a top-two finish.TimesofindiaEspncricinfoCricbuzz+15
  • RCB will face Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 on May 29 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.3Espncricinfo3
Key Stats at a Glance
RCB final score in IPL 2025 match at Ekana Stadium
231/4
SportsIndianexpress
Overs taken by RCB to complete chase
18.4 overs
SportsIndianexpress
RCB margin of victory
6 wickets
SportsIndianexpress
Balls remaining after RCB victory
8 balls
SportsIndianexpress
LSG target runs
228 runs
Sports
RCB points after league stage
19 points
Date of Qualifier 1 match between RCB and Punjab Kings
29 May

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Other Updates

MCC run-out law and key moments in Jitesh Sharma's reprieve

Key Facts
  • The MCC updated the non-striker run-out law in 2022, clarifying that once the bowler reaches the point of releasing the ball, the non-striker cannot be run out even if out of the crease.LivemintIndianexpress
  • Jitesh Sharma was given a reprieve when LSG captain Rishabh Pant withdrew the run-out appeal, but even if the appeal had continued, the MCC law would have ruled him not out.SportsLivemint
  • LSG spinner Digvesh Rathi prematurely celebrated a run-out of Jitesh Sharma, but the delivery was called a no-ball and Jitesh responded with a massive six on the next ball.Sportscafe
Key Stats at a Glance
Year of MCC non-striker run-out law update
2022
Section 3 background
Background Context

RCB's historic away dominance and key player milestones

RCB's away game mastery is due to balanced team composition, mental toughness, consistent performances, and strategic planning.
Cricket Analyst
Key Facts
  • RCB became the first team in IPL history to win all their away league matches in a single season, winning 7 out of 7 away games in IPL 2025.EspncricinfoCricbuzzIndianexpress4
  • RCB's away success is credited to a balanced team composition, mental toughness, consistent performances, and strategic planning by the coaching staff.
  • Jitesh Sharma's innings of 85* off 33 balls is the third-highest IPL score from No. 6 or lower and his maiden IPL half-century.EspncricinfoIndiatoday
  • Rishabh Pant's unbeaten 118 was the fastest century ever by an LSG batter and his first IPL hundred since 2018.Sports
  • RCB's Virat Kohli reached 9030 runs for RCB in all T20 cricket, becoming the first player to aggregate 9000-plus runs for a single team in this format.Cricbuzz1
  • Will O'Rourke conceded 74 runs in four overs against RCB, the third-most expensive four-over spell in IPL history.Cricbuzz1
Key Stats at a Glance
Jitesh Sharma unbeaten score
85 runs
Indiatoday
Balls faced by Jitesh Sharma
33 balls
Indiatoday
Rishabh Pant unbeaten score
118 runs
Sports
Mitchell Marsh score
67 runs
Sports
RCB away league matches won
7 matches
Virat Kohli total runs for RCB in T20
9030 runs
Runs conceded by Will O'Rourke in 4 overs
74 runs
Overs bowled by Will O'Rourke
4 overs
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