Rishabh Pant displayed exceptional sportsmanship as he withdrew the appeal of Jitesh Sharma's run out despite Digvesh Rathi 'Makading' him at the non-striker's end.
LSG were on track to end their campaign on a high after they posted 227 runs in their stipulated 20 overs, riding on Pant's brilliant century.
While defending the total, the home side managed to pick up three wickets for 90 runs, which included the dismissal of in-form Virat Kohli. However, Mayank Agarwal and makeshift Jitesh Sharma put up a century-run partnership to help RCB finish second on the points table and qualify for the Qualifier 1.
Why was Jitesh Sharma not given out despite Digvesh Rathi 'Mankading' him?
The incident occurred in the 17th over of the final match of the Indian Premier League 2025 league stage, between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Mayank Agarwal was on strike as RCB were inching closer to their target of 228 runs. Digvesh completed his action and quickly noticed that Sharma was out of the crease. The spinner tracked back and knocked the bails off as the team appealed for a run out.
The third umpire decision had gone in RCB's favour because the TV umpire believed that Rathi had gone past the popping crease and completed his bowling stride before taking the bails off.
Even if it was given out by the third umpire, Jitesh would likely not have had to walk away. This is because captain Pant had withdrawn the appeal and was also praised for upholding the spirit of the game.
Digvesh Sharma tried mankading.#RCBvsLSG pic.twitter.com/ArMredo1WE
— Ahmad Haseeb (@iamAhmadhaseeb) May 27, 2025
Sharma and Agarwal were quick to recognise Pant's sportsmanship as they hugged the LSG captain in appreciation of his gesture.
DIGVESH RATHI RUN-OUT JITESH AT NON-STRIKER END...!!!!
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 27, 2025
- Then Rishabh Pant took the appeal back and Jitesh hugged Pant. pic.twitter.com/JiJ1xqUtb0
Was Jitesh Sharma out? What is 'Mankading' in Cricket?
As per the rules of the game, Digvesh was well within his rights to dismiss Jitesh. But since the umpire felt that the LSG bowler had completed his delivery stride before removing the bails, the decision was given 'not out'.
'Mankading' is a way of dismissing a player who is at the non-striker's end. The bowlers, in their final delivery stride, could opt to dislodge the bails and dismiss the non-strikers if they find them leaving the crease before the completion of their bowling action.
It is named after former India international Vinoo Mankad, who had first dismissed Bill Brown during a Test match between India and Australia in Sydney in 1947. Thereafter, it has been repeated on several occasions.
In the recent past, R. Ashwin dismissed Jos Buttler during an IPL 2019 game between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals.
What next for RCB?
RCB will next face PBKS on Thursday in Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur.