Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) recorded their most successful chase in IPL history, chasing down 228 to overcome Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and advance to Qualifier 1 against Punjab Kings.

Stand-in skipper Jitesh Sharma was the game’s hero at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium, scoring an amazing unbeaten 85 off just 33 balls. His innings, which included eight boundaries and six sixes, led the side to victory. Mayank Agarwal also contributed significantly, slamming an unbeaten 23-ball 41 and adding 97 in just 41 balls in a partnership with Jitesh to secure a six-wicket victory with eight balls remaining.

The RCB chase began wonderfully, with Phil Salt and Virat Kohli scoring 61 runs in just 5.4 overs. Kohli firmly gripped one end after Salt had fallen. The experienced batsman scored his half-century in 27 balls and made history as the first player to score 9000 T20 runs for a single club. However, Kohli’s dismissal for 54 put RCB in a difficult situation at 103/4, still needing 125 off 52 balls.

Earlier, LSG scored 227/3, thanks to captain Rishabh Pant’s sparkling unbeaten 118*, his first IPL century since 2018, and Mitchell Marsh’s 67 off 37. Despite the amount, LSG’s bowlers had no answer for Bengaluru’s hitters. RCB also became the first team to win all seven away games in a single IPL season, and they now face PBKS in Qualifier 1 with a golden chance to advance to the final.

Hilarious reactions from LSG vs RCB, Match 70 at Ekana Stadium, Lucknow: