The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) produced a spirited fightback in their low-scoring IPL 2025 encounter against the Punjab Kings at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, and one of the major turning points came courtesy of a moment of brilliance behind the stumps. Wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma, known more for his striking abilities with the bat, pulled off an absolute stunner to dismiss Punjab skipper Shreyas Iyer, igniting raw emotion on the field, especially from none other than Virat Kohli.
Chasing a modest 96 in a 14-over contest, Punjab got off to a brisk start with Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh attacking the new ball. However, RCB clawed their way back, removing both openers inside the Powerplay. When Shreyas Iyer walked in at No. 3, Punjab still looked in control—until Josh Hazlewood entered the equation in the 8th over.
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Bowling a sharp back-of-a-length delivery that kicked up off the deck, Hazlewood forced Iyer into a risky slash. The thick edge flew behind, and Jitesh Sharma responded with a spectacular leap, snatching the ball mid-air with both hands.
#RCB are pumped and HOW 🤩
Sharp catch by Jitesh Sharma and #PBKS are 4️⃣ down 👌
High quality over from Josh Hazlewood 🫡
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— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 18, 2025
The stadium erupted, but no one celebrated more passionately than Virat Kohli. The RCB talisman pumped his fists and let out a massive roar—his trademark celebration reserved for game-changing moments.
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Iyer’s dismissal for 7 off 10 balls added to Punjab’s troubles and gave RCB the belief they could defend their sub-100 total. In a game filled with standout moments—like Tim David’s blistering unbeaten fifty earlier in the evening—Jitesh’s grab might just go down as one of the best catches of the season, not just for its athleticism but for how it lit a fire in RCB’s defense.
