RCB vs CSK: The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings IPL 2025 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was one of the most nail-biting matches of IPL 2025; plenty of high drama and plenty of explosive hitting.
RCB set a target of 213/5 with match-winning knocks from Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell, and a game-winning cameo from Romario Shepherd. Despite a valiant effort led by Ayush Mhatre and Ravindra Jadeja, CSK fell a tantalizing 2 runs short. Romario Shepherd was named player of the match for his blistering half-century, which came off just 14 balls!
Romario Shepherd’s 14-Ball Blitz Steals the Show
Romario Shepherd turned the tables for RCB with a record-equalling 14-ball 53, hitting 4 boundaries and 6 towering sixes. Coming in at 157/5 in the 18th over, Shepherd went ballistic, hitting ten boundaries in 14 balls. His innings is now the second-quickest fifty in IPL history, just behind Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 13-ball record.
He appropriately completed his blitzkrieg with a gargantuan six over wide long-off off the last ball of the innings delivered by Matheesha Pathirana.
RCB Score 54 Runs in Final Two Overs in RCB vs CSK
Shepherd, however, saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru amass a whopping 54 runs in the final two overs, turning the tables conclusively. Khaleel Ahmed was hit for 33 runs in the 19th over alone, comprising 4 sixes, 2 fours, and a no-ball—the most expensive of IPL 2025. Pathirana, despite an early economy spell, was hit for 2 fours and 2 sixes in the 20th over.
Kohli and Bethell Lay a Solid Foundation
In the first half of the match, Virat Kohli and Jacob Bethell gave RCB the ideal platform. The partnership during the powerplay of 71 runs is RCB’s highest at home this season. Bethell made 55 off 33 balls in his second game of the IPL, while Kohli finished the innings with 62 off 33 balls, after reaching his fifty in 29 deliveries.
CSK’s Mid-Innings Fightback Led by Overseas Trio
Chennai Super Kings made a strong comeback in the middle overs, largely due to some threatening spells from Matheesha Pathirana, Noor Ahmad, and Sam Curran.
Pathirana’s adjusted action, which has come under scrutiny during IPL 2025, was economical and varied well. It got rid of Bethell thanks to a smart catch from Dewald Brevis. However, this brief comeback could not stem the tide of a very big finish by Shepherd, who gave CSK a torrid time at the death.
CSK’s Near-Historic Chase Falls Short Despite Mhatre and Jadeja’s Heroics
In pursuit of 214, CSK gave it everything they had, propelled by two amazing innings. The fearless 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre smashed a breathtaking 94 off 48 balls, while Ravindra Jadeja was *77 not out. Their partnership kept CSK in the chase, but the final overs were too much.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, and Yash Dayal, the CSK run-rate with tight bowling in the death overs. Suyash bowled the 18th, only giving up 6 runs, and creating massive pressure immediately before the last over.
Roller Coaster last over of RCB
BALL 1- 1 Run, Yash Dayal to Dhoni
BALL 2- 1 Run, Yash Dayal to Jadeja
BALL 3- Out, Yash Dayal to Dhoni
BALL 4- No-Ball and 6, Yash Dayal to Shubham Dube
BALL 5- 1 Run, Yash Dayal to Shubham Dube
BALL 6- 1 Run, Yash Dayal to Jadeja
BALL 7- 1 Run, Yash Dayal to Shubham Dube
CSK required 15 off the last over, but RCB’s Yash Dayal remained calm, conceding only 13, for a nail-biting 2-run win.
ALSO READ: Fastest Fifty of IPL 2025: Romario Shepherd’s Monstrous Knock In CSK vs RCB
