Royal Challengers Bengaluru edged out Chennai Super Kings by two runs in a pulsating Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 encounter at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Saturday to claim the top spot in the standings.
Romario Shepherd produced a spellbinding display of late-order hitting, registering a 14-ball half-century – the joint second-fastest in IPL history – to propel RCB to a formidable 213 for five.
Shepherd, arriving at the crease after RCB had lost momentum in the middle overs, launched a furious assault on CSK’s most dependable death bowlers, Khaleel Ahmed and Matheesha Pathirana. His fireworks – comprising four boundaries and six sixes – equalled the 14-ball fifties previously scored by Pat Cummins and KL Rahul. Only Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 13-ball fifty has come quicker in the tournament’s history.
The West Indian all-rounder turned the tide in the 19th over, plundering 33 runs off Khaleel Ahmed. The onslaught included mighty sixes over deep midwicket, long-on, and short fine leg, and a no-ball swatted over extra cover. The Chinnaswamy crowd, subdued by the wickets of Kohli, Padikkal, and Jitesh, erupted once more as Shepherd wrested back the momentum.
Earlier, RCB had been put into bat and began in commanding fashion. Debutant Jacob Bethell and Virat Kohli launched an aggressive power-play, taking the total to 71 without loss in six overs – RCB’s best start at home this season.
Bethell, featuring in his maiden IPL home fixture, impressed with flair and composure. The 21-year-old reached his first IPL half-century in 28 balls, decorated with eight fours and two sixes. At 21 years and 192 days, he became the third-youngest overseas cricketer to register a half-century in IPL history.
Kohli, feeding off the crowd’s energy, displayed his trademark poise. His 62nd IPL fifty brought him level with David Warner’s record and took him past 500 runs for the ongoing season, earning him the coveted Orange Cap.
Kohli also extended his dominance over the Super Kings, becoming the first player to score over 1,150 runs against a single IPL side. One of his signature pull shots over deep square leg had the crowd roaring, but his knock ended at the hands of Sam Curran – the Englishman now has three T20 dismissals of the Indian maestro.
RCB’s innings wobbled after Kohli’s dismissal. Devdutt Padikkal and Jitesh Sharma departed in quick succession, as Pathirana and Curran bowled with discipline to restrict the scoring. Between overs 12.1 and 16.6, RCB scored just 33 runs and lost two wickets, with Pathirana showcasing why he leads the death-over bowling charts this season.
Just as CSK appeared to have turned the match, Shepherd’s late carnage shifted the tide. His 14-ball 50 stunned even RCB’s ardent fans, and left the usually reliable Pathirana and Khaleel short of answers.
Shepherd’s staggering strike rate – well in excess of 300 – outshone even the best of this IPL campaign. By contrast, Tim David’s season-best rate of 198 now seemed almost modest.
RCB’s final total of 213 was their highest at home this season, underpinned by Kohli’s class, Bethell’s flair, and Shepherd’s fury.
The Super Kings, despite a spirited chase, fell just two runs short in the final over – a narrow margin in what proved to be a game of fine margins and thunderous moments.
Chennai Super Kings have endured what may be considered their poorest-ever Indian Premier League campaign in 2025, having secured only two wins from ten matches prior to their contest against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The five-time champions, known for their consistency and strong leadership under M.S. Dhoni, were thrown into disarray early in the season following an injury to regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was ruled out with an elbow issue. Dhoni, the franchise’s iconic former captain, was reinstated mid-season to take charge of a faltering side.
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