RCB's IPL 2025 Recruit Romario Shepherd Smashes 25 in Last 5 Balls of MIE vs ADKR ILT20 Match - Watch

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru's latest recruit Romario Shepherd produced an all-round brilliance in ILT20, producing a final over fireworks with the bat and then stepped up with the ball to help MI Emirates see off Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 28 runs in ILT20 2025 on Tuesday (January 21).

Shepherd walked in to bat at number seven in the 16th over to join compatriot Nicholas Pooran with MI Emirates at 119/5. The West Indies all-rounder smashed an unbeaten 38 off 13 balls to take MIE to 186/6 before returing with figures of 2 for 12 that helped restrict the ADKR to 158/9.

During his knock of 38, Shepherd was scoring under a run-a-ball until he broke the shackles in the final two overs of the innings, taking Ali Khan to the cleaners by smashing three sixes and two fours in the last five balls for a total of 26 from 5. Here is a look at how Shepherd cut loose against Ali Khan:

The big-hitting Caribbean all-rounder in fact scored 34 of his 38 runs in the last seven balls he faced in the innings. Starting over number 18 at 4 from 6 balls, Shepherd capitalized on the dropped catch from Laurie Evans, to begin his onslaught in the closing stages of the innings.

Shepherd showed intent when he hit his compatriot Jason Holder for back-to-back fours just after the fall of Pooran for a 26-ball 49. After Akeal Hosein handed back the strike in the final over, Shepherd showed carnage on Khan.

Pooran and Shepherd shared a 31-run stand before another West Indian stand saw the MI Emirates post a challenging 186/6 in their allotted 20 overs. In response, Shepherd's double strike in the final over of powerplay, dented the Knight Riders' chase.

However, Andre Russell kept the game alive with a 23-ball 37, which in the end was not enough for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. Apart from Shepherd, his compatriot and former RCB pacer Alzarri Joseph also claimed two wickets for MIE.

Shepherd, who was not retained by Mumbai Indians despite one of the finest finishes in the IPL last season, has found a new home in Royal Challengers Bengaluru. RCB bought the all-rounder for his base price of Rs 1.50 Crore.

Shepherd adds more depth to RCB's finishing after the franchise's previous struggles in the department, but will face a challenge to find a spot in the starting eleven with the likes of Tim David, Jitesh Sharma and Liam Livingstone also being roped in for a similar role.