Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra heaped praise on Jitesh Sharma after Royal Challengers Bengaluru registered a six-wicket win against Lucknow Super Giants at Lucknow in the ongoing IPL 2025 on Tuesday.

Chasing a huge target of 228 runs, RCB was in a spot of bother at 123-4 after 11.2 overs with a well settled Virat Kohli back in the pavilion. Jitesh Sharma, who was the stand-in captain, was able to hit the ground running and kept playing with an aggressive approach.

The right-hander scored a blistering knock of 85 runs off just 33 balls with the help of eight fours and six maximums. The 31-year-old wicket-keeper bat scored his runs at a whirlwind strike rate of 257.58 as he batted at the top of his game.

Thus, Jitesh helped RCB in securing their place in the first qualifier and they ended at the second place in the points table.

“When the fourth wicket fell at 123, things were looking a little dicey. Will O’Rourke was on a hat-trick. Liam Livingstone came and went. It seems like he is the new Glenn Maxwell of the IPL. However, they batted incredibly. Captain Jitesh Sharma – leading from the front, leading by example,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“His batting was terrific. He stayed till the end. In fact, it’s his first IPL fifty. He had scored many forties. He had an infamous record to his name, that he had played so many knocks and scored more than 800 runs, and was the only such player not to have scored a fifty thus far,” he added.

The renowned commentator also noted that Mayank Agarwal also played a crucial knock of 41 runs in 107-run alliance with Jitesh  Sharma.

“He scored a fifty and won the match. Doing a run chase so immaculately was outstanding. Mayank Agarwal was there with him. He was made to bat down the order this time. He also batted incredibly, and they won with six wickets to spare,” Chopra observed.

RCB will take on Punjab Kings in the first qualifier at New Chandigarh on Thursday.