Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have created another unforgettable moment in their IPL history, RCB storm into Qualifier 1 in the 2025 season after a sensational comeback win against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). As the teams faced off at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium on 27th May, the game was not only meaningful to RCB storm into Qualifier 1 as a must-win, but it also featured electrifying cricket, great individual leads, and was a reflection of the team’s perseverance and hunger for success.
Background: High Stakes in Lucknow
As RCB entered the final league match, they knew exactly what they needed to do: win and ensure they finished in the top two for the first time in nine years. And while LSG, already eliminated from playoff contention, were playing for pride, they were not about to roll over, providing a significant challenge for RCB.
RCB’s decision to chase was calculated. The court at Ekana had seen plenty of big scores and difficult chases, and with the added pressure of playoffs more than likely on everyone’s minds, every single run and wicket mattered.
Pant’s Masterclass Sets a Daunting Target
The LSG innings was built around the batting masterclass of Rishabh Pant, who was the captain on the day. Following the loss of first-gamer Matthew Breetzke, Pant teamed up with virtue of in-form Mitchell Marsh. Pant and Marsh combined to put on 152 runs for the second highest LSG IPL total in its history, with Marsh scoring 67 off 37.
Pant was the show-stopper. He displayed a cavalcade of shots all around the ground, reaching his first century of the season in 54 balls. His unbeaten 118 runs off 61 balls helped LSG post their highest ever IPL total, 227/3. Pant’s trademark somersault celebration ignited the stadium, while RCB fans were left to ponder how to climb an insurmountable mountain.
RCB’s Chase: A Rollercoaster Ride
Chasing 228 is never easy in any circumstance, especially in a high-pressure game like this. RCB’s two openers, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli, gave them a terrific start, hitting 31 runs in the first two overs and seeing RCB to 66/1 at the end of the powerplay. Salt’s whirlwind 30 had provided early momentum but fell victim to a quicker ball, though Kohli remained.
It wasn’t long before LSG hit back, with Will O’Rourke claiming Rajat Patidar and Liam Livingstone in successive deliveries in the eighth over, placing RCB at 90/3 and already jeopardizing the chase.
Kohli’s Calm Fifty: The Linchpin.
Virat Kohli has provided RCB a bedrock for its batting for nearly two decades, and this evidence is why many hold him as one of the greatest. His 54 runs off 30 balls displayed a combination of aggression and calm, bringing home Kohli’s third consecutive season of 600+ runs. Kohli offered steadiness for a fleeting moment and saw RCB remain in the chase even with a rising run rate.
Jitesh Sharma’s Heroics: The Finishing Touch
With Kohli gone at 132/4, the middle order had some work to do. Here came Jitesh Sharma, captain of the RCB team and eventual Player of the Match, who provided one of the most explosive finishes in IPL history.
Jitesh unleashed a fantastic assault on the LSG bowlers with an unbeaten 85 off only 33 balls. His innings was a masterclass in power-hitting and game-awareness that made even Pant’s efforts earlier in the innings pale in comparison. Runs were scored at will, with a barrage of boundaries and sixes. Jitesh took on each LSG bowler with fearlessness and intent and soon the equation was that RCB needed a run-a-ball in the final overs.
He capped off the chase with a six, arriving at the final score of 230/4 in 18.4 overs–only the third successful run chase of 230+ in IPL history, and the highest-ever for RCB. The RCB dugout had erupted, with players and fans celebrating a remarkable comeback in the first half of the season.
Records and Milestones
- RCB became the first team in IPL history to win all seven away matches in the same season.
- Jitesh Sharma broke MS Dhoni’s record for the fastest 80+ score by a wicketkeeper in an IPL chase.
- Virat Kohli recorded three major records during the game, including his third consecutive season of 600+ runs.
Dressing Room Reactions & Tributes
The RCB camp did not take this win lightly. Batting coach and mentor Dinesh Karthik gave a special tribute to Kohli, describing him as “genius par excellence” through his ability to be consistent and deliver when it needs to matter. The joy in RCB’s celebrations was a mixture of relief and renewed self-belief. It was after almost a decade, RCB finally achieved a top-two finish.
Looking Forward: Qualifier 1 vs Punjab Kings
This win means RCB storm into Qualifier 1 against the Punjab Kings on May 29th, at the New PCA Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. The stakes couldn’t be higher – victory guarantees a place in the IPL final, whilst loss gives them another chance with Qualifier 2.
The head-to-head between RCB and PBKS is also very evenly matched, which gives another reason to watch this contest with a keen eye.
Conclusion: A Statement of Intent
RCB’s win against LSG was not just a victory, but a declaration of intention. The team showcased the depth, resilience, and desire to win the title after a long time. They showed this right from Kohli’s calm and composed leadership to Jitesh Sharma’s explosive finish.
As RCB prepare for Qualifier 1, they will take with them not only momentum, but also the belief that this could be their year. They still have a long way to go, but for now Bengaluru can celebrate a night when their team stood up and delivered, creating their own place in IPL History.
