During their massive 228-run chase against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL 2025 clash on Tuesday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) had a tense moment when they nearly lost their star wicketkeeper-batter. On the last delivery of the 17th over, LSG’s Digvesh Rathi made a sharp attempt to run him out at the non-striker’s end.
As the third umpire reviewed the replays on the big screen, Lucknow skipper Rishabh Pant made a sportsmanlike call he withdrew the appeal, letting the RCB batter stay in the game.
As Rishabh Pant withdrew the appeal, Jitesh Sharma walked over and hugged him a gesture of gratitude for the sportsmanship that kept him at the crease. But interestingly, even if Pant hadn’t taken back the appeal, Jitesh wouldn’t have been out.
While it’s true the RCB wicketkeeper-batter was outside the non-striker’s crease when Digvesh Rathi took off the bails, the LSG spinner made a crucial error that would’ve invalidated the run-out attempt under the rules.
According to the laws of cricket, a bowler can’t attempt a run-out at the non-striker’s end once they’ve completed their bowling action or stepped outside the popping crease. In this case, Digvesh Rathi didn’t meet those conditions, which means even if the appeal had stood the third umpire would’ve declared Jitesh not out.
Still, Rishabh Pant’s decision to withdraw the appeal despite knowing how crucial Jitesh’s wicket was deserves applause for its sheer sportsmanship. Fittingly, Jitesh went on to become RCB’s hero, steering his team to victory with 8 balls to spare.
The post Jitesh Sharma was not out, even without Rishabh Pant’s withdrawn appeal. Here’s why. appeared first on Cricket Country.
