In a pivotal moment during the IPL 2025 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Jitesh Sharma narrowly avoided being run out at the non-striker’s end. The drama unfolded in the 17th over as RCB pursued a daunting target of 228 set by LSG. Bowler Digvesh Rathi removed the bails while Jitesh was out of his crease, prompting an umpire review.
The on-field umpire consulted Rathi, who confirmed he wished to proceed with the appeal. Nonetheless, TV umpire Ulhas Gandhe ruled Jitesh not out, stating that Rathi had completed his delivery stride before executing the run-out.
This decision aligns with IPL rule 38.3.1, which allows bowlers to run out non-strikers if they leave the crease before the expected delivery release. However, the rule states that the delivery stride should not be completed, a condition Rathi failed to meet according to the TV umpire.
Amidst this, an intriguing turn occurred. Around the time “not out” was displayed, Rathi indicated through gestures, later confirmed by Pant, that he might have withdrawn the appeal regardless of the umpire’s judgment, embracing Jitesh to indicate no hard feelings.
At the time of the incident, Jitesh was batting fluently on 57 off 25 balls. He carried on to score an unbeaten 85 from 33, leading RCB to their highest successful chase in IPL history with a six-wicket victory and eight balls to spare, marking the third-highest chase in the tournament’s records.
Cricket analyst Tom Moody, speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out show, upheld the decision. “My first interpretation was that if the appeal was not going to be withdrawn it was out,” Moody remarked. “But once we delved into the actual written law, it was clear Rathi hadn’t intended to bowl that delivery. It was still at waist height, and he hadn’t even rotated his arm to deliver. That’s definitely within the law but I think the right decision was made.”
This result propelled RCB into Qualifier 1, where they are set to face Punjab Kings (PBKS) on 29 May in Mullanpur. Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans (GT) will compete against Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Eliminator at the same location on 30 May.
