In a surprise yet strategic move, Jitesh Sharma is captaining Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their IPL 2025 showdown against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, on Friday, May 23. This marks only the second time the wicketkeeper-batter has captained in the Indian Premier League, having previously led Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a solitary game during the 2024 season—coincidentally, also against SRH.
A Chance at Redemption for Jitesh Sharma
The 31-year-old Maharashtra cricketer will be eager to flip the script this time. In his earlier captaincy outing, PBKS fell short by four wickets against the SunRisers. Now, with a stronger and playoff-qualified RCB squad behind him, Sharma is poised to seize this leadership opportunity and aim for a top-two finish in the IPL 2025 standings.
Speaking at the toss, Sharma expressed excitement over his first time captaining RCB, stating via Cricbuzz:
“It’s my first time captaining RCB. I captained PBKS against SRH last year. Rajat Patidar is the impact player.”
Tactical Toss Decision: RCB Opt to Bowl First
Jitesh Sharma won the toss and elected to bowl first, citing the surface’s moisture as a key factor in the decision:
“We are thinking to bowl first, want to take most of the surface from the moisture,” he told Cricbuzz.
In terms of team composition, RCB made just one change—Mayank Agarwal replaces Devdutt Padikkal, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury. Rajat Patidar, recovering from a recent injury sustained during the mid-season break, is available as an Impact Player.
SRH Ring in Major Changes, Fight for Pride
On the other hand, SunRisers Hyderabad, already eliminated from the IPL 2025 playoff race after managing just four wins in 12 matches, are looking to play spoiler. The Pat Cummins-led squad made three changes to their playing XI: Travis Head returns after recovering from COVID-19, while Abhinav Manohar and Jaydev Unadkat also feature in the lineup.
Although their postseason hopes have vanished, SRH showed grit by knocking Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) out of the playoff race in their last game. Now, they’ll aim to derail RCB’s bid for a top-two finish and end their season on a high.
READ MORE: Emma Raducanu Suffers Injury Scare in Strasbourg Loss Ahead of 2025 French Open
RCB’s Strong Campaign and Rain Woes
Currently placed second on the IPL 2025 points table with eight wins from 12 games, RCB are eyeing a top-two finish for a vital Qualifier advantage. Their previous game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was unfortunately washed out due to rain, costing them a chance to consolidate their position.
This makes today’s match even more critical, with Sharma’s leadership and the team’s momentum in the spotlight. A win here could all but seal RCB’s place in the top two, depending on net run rate and other results.
🔍 Key Match Details: RCB vs SRH – IPL 2025
- Date: Friday, May 23, 2025
- Venue: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
- RCB Captain: Jitesh Sharma (Stand-in)
- Toss: RCB won, opted to bowl
- Key Changes:
- RCB: Mayank Agarwal in for Devdutt Padikkal
- SRH: Travis Head, Abhinav Manohar, and Jaydev Unadkat in
📢 Why This Match Matters
While RCB are focused on playoff seeding, SRH are chasing pride and potential upsets. Jitesh Sharma’s captaincy will be closely watched, especially after a rocky first outing last season. With Patidar returning, RCB’s batting lineup looks more balanced, and their bowling attack will aim to make the most of the early moisture in the pitch.
Whether you’re rooting for a playoff powerhouse or an underdog’s redemption arc, this encounter promises high drama, strategic depth, and potential playoff ramifications.
