‘It is good to lose this match’- What kind of statement did Jitesh Sharma give after losing the match to SRH

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) suffered a disappointing loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 65th match of IPL 2025. The defeat came by a margin of 42 runs, dealing a significant blow to RCB’s hopes of securing a top-two spot in the points table. Chasing a massive target of 232 runs, RCB looked to be in a strong position during the middle overs. At one stage, they had scored 173 runs for the loss of just three wickets in 15.3 overs. With 59 runs needed off 27 balls and some key batters still at the crease, fans expected RCB to pull off the chase. However, things took a shocking turn as the team collapsed dramatically, adding just 16 more runs and ultimately falling short of the target.

The unexpected downfall left many surprised, including RCB’s new captain, Jitesh Sharma. Speaking after the match, Jitesh admitted he had no clear explanation for how things went wrong in the final few overs. While the match initially seemed well within reach, the team failed to maintain momentum under pressure. Despite this, Jitesh took the result in a positive spirit and called it a "valuable lesson" for the squad.

Jitesh Sharma made a statement that raised eyebrows. He said, “I feel like the target was 20–30 runs more than what we would’ve liked. But honestly, I don’t know how we lost from that situation. We seemed a little off today, maybe lacking intensity. Still, I believe it’s good that we lost this match.”

The captain added that personal frustration also played a role in the mood. “I was disappointed after my own dismissal,” Jitesh said. “I wasn’t mentally in a place to check on Tim David, who got injured. That’s something I’ll reflect on. But I genuinely think this loss can turn out to be a blessing in disguise. It’s a sign that we need to reset and bring more energy into the next matches. One positive is that our batting has been strong in recent games. We’ll take this setback as motivation to improve.”

This defeat has had consequences for RCB’s standing in the IPL 2025 points table. They have now slipped out of the top two spots, which offer an extra chance at reaching the final via the playoffs. To make it back into the top two, RCB must win their final league game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). However, even that might not be enough. The team also has to depend on the outcomes of matches involving Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings. Only if the results of those games go in RCB’s favor, will they have a chance to reclaim a top-two finish.

RCB’s next match is now crucial. A win against LSG is necessary not only to boost morale but also to keep playoff hopes alive. It’s a must-win game in every sense. Fans will hope the team learns from their mistakes in the match against SRH and returns with renewed focus and energy.

While the loss was disappointing, it serves as a reminder that in T20 cricket, even small lapses in performance can have huge consequences. Jitesh Sharma’s optimistic attitude and acknowledgment of the team's errors suggest that RCB is not ready to give up. With their playoff hopes still alive, the team must regroup quickly and bring their A-game to the remaining matches.