Explained: Why Jitesh Sharma Survived the Mankad Attempt in Last Night’s IPL Thriller?

Last night, a moment of high drama unfolded during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s run chase against Lucknow Super Giants when Jitesh Sharma narrowly escaped a run-out at the non-striker’s end — thanks to both a ruling by the TV umpire and an unexpected gesture from LSG skipper Rishabh Pant.

The incident occurred in the 17th over of RCB’s pursuit of 228 at the Ekana Stadium. As leg-spinner Digvesh Singh Rathi ran into bowl, he suddenly turned and whipped off the bails at the non-striker’s end, catching Jitesh Sharma outside his crease. The on-field umpire paused to ask Rathi if he wanted to appeal. Once he nodded yes, the decision was referred upstairs.  

TV umpire Ulhas Gandhe, after reviewing replays, ruled Jitesh not out. Why? Because Rathi had already completed his delivery stride — crossing the point where the ball is expected to be released — before breaking the stumps. Under IPL playing condition 38.3.1, such an attempt only counts if the bowler removes the bails before reaching that point. So, the run-out wasn’t valid to begin with. Just as the crowd caught its breath, Pant added another twist. As the big screen flashed “NOT OUT,” he walked over to the umpires and signaled that he had withdrawn the appeal. Whether it influenced the final decision or not, it was a gesture that didn’t go unnoticed. 

Jitesh’s reaction spoke volumes. He walked up to Pant, hugged him mid-field, and thanked him — visibly relieved. At that point, he was batting on 57 off just 25 balls, with RCB still needing 29 from 19 balls. 

Pant was applauded by many for upholding the so-called "spirit of cricket," but not everyone was sold on the narrative. Veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle chimed in on X (formerly Twitter): “I have no problem with the umpire turning down the appeal if he thinks the non-striker was inside the crease when the bowler's arm had crossed the point where he is expected to release the ball. I am disappointed when the spirit of the game is invoked. You play by the laws.” 

In the end, Jitesh had the final say. He stayed unbeaten on 85 off 33 balls and helped RCB pull off a memorable chase — 230/4 in just 18.4 overs — the third-highest successful chase in IPL history, and the highest ever in Lucknow. With the win, Bengaluru climbed to second in the table and booked a ticket to face Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1.