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Drama unfolded during thrilling IPL 2025 encounter between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Ekana Cricket stadium on May 27. Digvesh Sharma's 'Mankad' attempt to dismiss Jitesh Sharma. A a crucial juncture of the match when RCB, spearheaded by a strong partnership between Jitesh Sharma and Mayank Agarwal, appeared to be taking control of the game while chasing a big target of 228 runs, LSG's Digvesh Rathi executed the Mankad dismissal.
The decision was sent to the third umpire, who ruled that the bowler had completed his action at the time of the attempt at the non-striker's end. However, the cricketing rules stipulate that a bowler can only attempt a Mankad dismissal midway through their action.
The leg-spinner, Digvesh Rathi, had two close calls to dismiss RCB's stand-in captain, Jitesh Sharma, in the same over, but fate intervened. In a dramatic 17th over, Jitesh attempted a reverse sweep on the first ball, hitting it directly to Ayush Badoni at point. Jitesh was visibly frustrated, and Rathi began celebrating in his characteristic style, only for the umpire to check for a no-ball. A brief review revealed a rare backfoot no-ball, giving Jitesh a reprieve.
Later in the same over, on the fifth ball, Rathi attempted a non-striker run-out to dismiss Jitesh Sharma, who had left his crease early. The umpire once again referred the decision to the third umpire. Jitesh was given not out due to Rathi's release point occurring before the attempted run-out. Adding to the twist, LSG skipper Rishabh Pant also withdrew the appeal while the third umpire was reviewing the replay.
The Mankad drama on the field visibly frustrated Virat Kohli, who was seen smashing a watch bottle in anger in the dressing the room following the incident.
Watch Virat Kohli left fuming after Digvesh Rathi's Mankad attempt:
As far as match is concerned, Jitesh Sharma played a match winning unbeaten blistering fifty to that powered RCB to a 6-wicket win, which ensured their top two finish in the standings. Chasing a formidable target of 228 runs, RCB successfully crossed the finishing line in under 19 overs. Jitesh was particularly destructive, smashing an unbeaten 85 runs from just 33 balls, an innings embellished with 8 fours and 6 sixes. Virat Kohli also contributed significantly, scoring a half-century that laid a crucial foundation for RCB's chase. Earlier in the game, Rishabh Pant's unbeaten century had been instrumental in LSG posting a daunting total of 227/3 but in the end it all went in vain.
RCB will now take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 which is slated to be held on May 29.
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