Josh Hazlewood was full of praise for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma after a brilliant piece of game awareness helped turn the match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. RCB pulled off an 11-run win in a tense finish, and Hazlewood credited Jitesh for a key moment that shifted the momentum.
Jitesh’s Sharp Call for DRS Changes the Game
With Rajasthan needing just 17 runs off 10 balls, Hazlewood bowled a wide yorker to Dhruv Jurel. Initially, it seemed like a dot ball, but Jitesh Sharma was confident there was an edge and convinced the team to take a review. The DRS confirmed a slight under-edge, handing Hazlewood a crucial wicket at a critical time.
“The thing is, Jitesh again, he’s a genius. He’s done a few for me now over the tournament,” Hazlewood said in a post-match conversation with Krunal Pandya. Thanks to the smart review, Hazlewood finished with 4-33 and moved up to second in the Purple Cap race.
More Heroics from Jitesh Sharma
Jitesh didn’t stop there. He also played a key role in the run-out of Wanindu Hasaranga, stretching impressively to remove the bails after collecting a wide throw. Earlier in the innings, he had contributed an unbeaten 20*(10) with the bat, helping RCB post a total above 200.
“You owe him a couple of points,” Krunal joked, highlighting how vital Jitesh was for RCB’s thrilling victory.
RCB Building Momentum
The win pushed RCB to third on the points table. With crucial home wins now under their belt, RCB will face top-placed Delhi Capitals next at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Momentum is on their side, thanks to contributions from players like Hazlewood and Jitesh Sharma.
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