Add as a preferred source on Google

RCB vs CSK: In a high-octane southern derby, Royal Challengers Bengaluru held their nerve to clinch a nail-biting two-run win over Chennai Super Kings at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday night.

With the packed crowd on the edge of their seats, Romario Shepherd emerged as the hero, defending 13 off the final over and walking away with the Player of the Match award. The 52nd match of the IPL 2025 lived up to the billing — a classic clash between two southern giants, packed with big hits, nervy moments and standout individual performances.

Batting first after CSK elected to bowl, RCB rode on a fiery half-century from Virat Kohli and a blistering cameo from Shepherd to post a formidable 213/5. In reply, CSK fought valiantly, powered by Ayush Mhatre’s 94 and a stunning unbeaten 77 from Ravindra Jadeja, but fell just short, finishing at 211/5.

Match Summary:

IPL 2025 Match: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings, 52nd Match

Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

Toss: Chennai Super Kings won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 213/5 (20 overs)

Chennai Super Kings: 211/5 (20 overs)

Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 2 runs.

Player of the Match: Romario Shepherd for his explosive 53* off 14 balls and a match-winning final over.

Match Highlights:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Innings:

• Jacob Bethell got RCB off to a flying start with 55 from 33 balls, including 8 boundaries and 3 sixes.
• Virat Kohli turned back the clock with a vintage 62 off 33 deliveries, striking at 187.88.
• Romario Shepherd launched an incredible onslaught at the death, blasting 53 not out off just 14 balls, with 4 sixes and 6 fours.
• RCB surged to 213/5, courtesy of 25 runs in the final over.
• Matheesha Pathirana led CSK’s bowling with 3/36, while Sam Curran and Noor Ahmad picked up one wicket each.

Chennai Super Kings Bowling:

• Pathirana was effective in the middle and death overs, picking crucial wickets including Bethell and Padikkal.
• Khaleel Ahmed and Sam Curran were expensive, conceding over 10 per over.
• Jadeja and Noor Ahmad tried to contain the scoring but lacked support.

Chennai Super Kings Innings:

• Ayush Mhatre dazzled with a brilliant 94 off 48 balls, smashing 9 fours and 5 sixes.
• Ravindra Jadeja played a fighting knock of 77* from 45 balls, keeping CSK in the chase till the end.
• CSK required 13 off the final over, but Romario Shepherd held his nerve, conceding just 10 and dismissing MS Dhoni.
• Lungi Ngidi was the game-changer with 3/30, claiming Mhatre, Curran, and Brevis in crucial moments.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Bowling:

• Lungi Ngidi’s spell broke CSK’s back with his triple-strike, finishing with 3/30.
• Yash Dayal bowled a tight penultimate over, giving away only 4 runs and dismissing Dhoni.
• Shepherd, despite a poor first over, defended the final 13 runs in heroic fashion.
• Krunal Pandya chipped in with a crucial wicket of Shaik Rasheed, applying pressure in the powerplay.

Kohli’s Class and Shepherd’s Late Surge Power RCB to 213

The night began with fireworks from young Jacob Bethell, who smashed 55 off just 33 balls, setting the tone for a run-fest. Bethell’s aggression in the powerplay laid the foundation, while Kohli brought vintage flair with a 62-run masterclass laced with 3 fours and 5 sixes at a searing strike rate of 187.88. The Bengaluru crowd roared with every boundary as Kohli turned back the clock with effortless timing and calculated risk.

After solid starts from Bethell and Kohli, it was Romario Shepherd who stole the show at the back end. Walking in at No. 7, he clobbered an unbeaten 53 off just 14 deliveries, hammering 4 sixes and 6 fours at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 378.57. His fireworks, including a 25-run 20th over, propelled RCB beyond the 210-mark and left CSK staring at a mammoth target.

Matheesha Pathirana was the pick of the bowlers for Chennai, claiming 3 wickets for 36 runs, including the crucial scalps of Bethell and Padikkal. However, his efforts were overshadowed by the carnage that unfolded at the death.

Jadeja’s Brilliance in Vain as Ngidi, Dayal & Shepherd Deliver Under Pressure

Chasing 214, CSK got off to a decent start but faltered early, losing Shaik Rasheed and Sam Curran in quick succession. The young Ayush Mhatre kept hopes alive with a sensational 94 off 48 balls, smoking 9 fours and 5 sixes. His clean hitting rattled RCB’s bowlers, and the equation came down to 42 off the last four overs.

Just as it looked like CSK might coast home, Lungi Ngidi struck a double blow — dismissing Mhatre and the dangerous Dewald Brevis in successive balls. With 42 needed off 24, and then 13 off the final six balls, it was anyone’s game.

Romario Shepherd, who had earlier been expensive with the ball, redeemed himself in style. Bowling the final over to MS Dhoni and Shivam Dube, he held his nerve despite the pressure, conceding just 10 runs and claiming Dhoni’s wicket via LBW. That moment silenced even the yellow army in the stands.

Yash Dayal’s penultimate over was equally decisive, giving away just 4 runs and setting up the finale perfectly for Shepherd to script his redemption arc.

Shepherd: From Expensive to Exhilarating

Despite going for 18 in his only over, Shepherd made his biggest impact with the bat and in the final over with the ball. His batting explosion and final-over redemption earned him a well-deserved Player of the Match trophy.

The Points Table Tightens

With this win, Royal Challengers Bengaluru climbed the table and kept their playoff hopes alive. The win will also boost their net run rate, thanks to the commanding total and their ability to squeeze out a win despite CSK’s spirited chase.

For CSK, the loss will sting — especially after getting so close. Jadeja’s unbeaten 77 off 45 was a standout performance, but it was the lack of support in the middle overs that derailed their chase.