India, May 28 -- The 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) already had its four teams for the playoffs, much ahead of the end of the preliminary stage of the tournament, yet there was intrigue around the final league match. On Tuesday, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who have already made the playoffs, squared off with an already-eliminated Lucknow Super Giants with a top-two finish at stake. And stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma ensured that RCB head into the final stage of the tournament with a victory.

Chasing an imposing 228, RCB started off on a fiery note as Virat Kohli (54 off 30) and Phil Salt (30 off 19) stitched a 61-run opening stand in just 34 balls, before Jitesh (85) and Mayank Agarwal (41) wrapped up the chase, maki...