In the last match of the league stage in IPL 2025, Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 6 wickets and confirmed their place in qualifier-1. His competition is today, on 29 May with Punjab Kings (Pbks vs RCB Qualifier-1). In that last match, Digvesh Rathi tried to dismiss Jitesh Sharma under Mankading, after which he appealed and the verdict went to the third umpire. Although he was not out, but during this time Lucknow captain Rishabh Pant withdrew that appeal. It had two sides, one who was against Digvesh and the other in support of him. Now R Ashwin’s big statement has come on this, he has criticized Rishabh Pant’s decision.
What did Ashwin say
Ashwin said on YouTube channel, ‘If Jitesh Sharma was out of the crease before the bowler was in the delivery straight, he could be given out. When the bowler appealed, the umpire asked him if you wanted to appeal and he said yes, then the decision went to the third umpire. Jitesh was in the crease when Digvesh landed the front foot. Therefore, they were not given out. Even everything was fine. But after this a narrator was made. What are the commentators saying that Jitesh Sharma hugged Rishabh Pant, what a great decision Pant has taken back the appeal.
R Ashwin called Rishabh Pant’s decision wrong and said that the job of a captain has to be supported by his player and not to reduce him in front of crores of people. He also gave his example. He said, “The job of a captain would not have been to make his bowler feel small in front of him. He should have decided before taking back this appeal. Just as I and Jose Butler I had gone to Delhi Capitals the following year. Ricky Ponting told me that we do not want our team to run out such run out and you also follow it. I will say that I am not already there. Digvesh Rathi did not know whether he had already talked or not. “
Ashwin further said, “Why does your bowler look small. In this way the bowler will feel very small. He will never do this again, and people will also say that it should not be done? Why not do it? It will create fear in the bowler’s mind. But no one cares for the bowler, so their appeal can be withdrawn.”
Jitesh Sharma played match winning innings
In this match, Royal Challengers Bangalore created history by achieving the target of 228, this was the biggest run chase of this team. Jitesh Sharma whom Digvesh wanted to run out at non-strayer end, played an unbeaten 85-run match in 33 balls. He was chosen as the Player of the Match. RCB won the match and confirmed its place in qualifier-1, where it is facing Punjab Kings.
