Bumrah brilliance, Bethell-Virat blitz, and Shepherd’s late fireworks seal a narrow win as Chennai fall heartbreakingly short in a high-octane IPL 2025 clash.
Bengaluru, May 4:
In one of the most thrilling encounters of IPL 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by just 2 runs in a last-ball nail-biter at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. The victory pushed RCB to the top of the points table with eight wins from 11 matches, while CSK remained rooted at the bottom with their ninth loss.
Chasing a mammoth 214-run target, CSK’s hopes were pinned on an explosive knock from Ayush Mhatre, who scored a brilliant 94 off 48 balls, and an unbeaten 77 from Ravindra Jadeja. But their efforts weren’t enough, as Yash Dayal held his nerve in a tense final over, conceding just four runs in the last three deliveries.
CSK’s Chase: Mhatre Shines, Jadeja Anchors, But RCB Hold Firm
CSK openers Shaik Rasheed and Ayush Mhatre gave their side a promising start with a quick 51-run partnership, but Rasheed departed for 14, followed by Sam Curran who managed just 5.
Mhatre, however, kept the chase alive, notching up his maiden IPL fifty in style. He, alongside Jadeja, took CSK past 150 in the 14th over, but fell heartbreakingly short of a century, dismissed by Lungi Ngidi for 94 in the 17th over.
The final over began with CSK needing 15 runs. Dhoni was dismissed early by Dayal, but a no-ball six by Shivam Dube briefly reignited hopes. Still, Dayal managed to close the game with clinical precision, ensuring a dramatic win for the home side.
RCB’s Innings: Virat and Bethell Lay the Foundation, Shepherd Finishes in Style
Earlier, after being asked to bat, RCB rode on powerful knocks from Virat Kohli (62 off 33) and Jacob Bethell (55 off 33), who combined for a 97-run opening stand — the second-highest for RCB against CSK.
Kohli dazzled with classic strokeplay while Bethell punished anything loose, helping RCB to a dominant 71/0 in the powerplay. After their dismissals, the momentum dipped briefly, but it was Romario Shepherd who exploded at the death, hammering a blistering 53 off just 14 balls, including four sixes and four boundaries.
Shepherd’s late assault helped RCB pile up a formidable 213/5, taking 33 runs off Khaleel Ahmed in the penultimate over and finishing the innings in style with a final-ball six.
Bowling Highlights: Ngidi’s Impact, Pathirana’s Control
For RCB, Lungi Ngidi starred with figures of 3/30, including the vital wicket of Mhatre. Krunal Pandya and Yash Dayal chipped in with a wicket each.
For CSK, Matheesha Pathirana was the standout, taking 3/36 and breaking the Bethell-Kohli stand. Khaleel Ahmed struggled under pressure in the death overs, leaking 52 runs in four overs, while Noor Ahmad and Curran failed to contain the late surge.
Match Summary:
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 213/5 (20 overs)
- Virat Kohli 62, Jacob Bethell 55, Romario Shepherd 53
- Matheesha Pathirana 3/36
- Chennai Super Kings: 211/5 (20 overs)
- Ayush Mhatre 94, Ravindra Jadeja 77
- Lungi Ngidi 3/30
- Result: RCB won by 2 runs