Could Romario Shepherd's Blitz Lift RCB to 213/5 Against CSK?

Bengaluru, May 3 (NationPress) Romario Shepherd delivered one of the most explosive finishes in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, hammering a rapid 14-ball half-century to propel Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to an impressive total of 213/5 against Chennai Super Kings at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.

Entering at a time when RCB's momentum had waned, Shepherd unleashed fury on CSK’s top death bowlers – Khaleel Ahmed and Matheesha Pathirana – striking four boundaries and six sixes to achieve the joint second-fastest fifty in IPL history, trailing only Yashasvi Jaiswal's 13-ball record.

The West Indian all-rounder turned the game in the 19th over, scoring a staggering 33 runs off Khaleel, including sixes that sailed over deep midwicket, long-on, and short fine leg, plus a no-ball dispatched over extra cover. The crowd at Chinnaswamy, initially subdued after the dismissals of Kohli, Padikkal, and Jitesh, erupted in joy as Shepherd revitalized the innings.

RCB began their innings on a high note. Debutant Jacob Bethell and Virat Kohli unleashed a barrage of boundaries during the power-play, amassing 71/0 in just six overs – the best start for RCB at home this season.

Bethell, in his first home match, displayed both fearlessness and elegance, effortlessly flicking and pulling Khaleel. He reached his inaugural IPL fifty in just 28 balls, featuring eight fours and two sixes, making him the third-youngest overseas player to achieve this milestone in IPL.

Kohli thrived on the Bengaluru crowd's energy, combining calculated aggression with steadying the innings. He recorded his 62nd IPL fifty, equaling David Warner's record, while his 50 runs pushed him past 500 runs in IPL 2025, granting him the Orange Cap.

Moreover, Kohli set a new benchmark against CSK as the first player to surpass 1,150 runs against a single IPL franchise. His pull shots, particularly one over deep square leg, electrified the audience. Unfortunately, his innings was cut short by Sam Curran, marking his third T20 dismissal against him.

After Kohli's exit, RCB's momentum faltered. Both Padikkal and Jitesh Sharma fell quickly as Pathirana and Curran tightened their grip. Between the 12.1 and 16.6 overs, RCB managed a mere 33 runs while losing 2 wickets, allowing CSK to re-enter the match.

Pathirana, recognized as the best death-over bowler this season with nine wickets, expertly executed his yorkers and slower deliveries. His skillful variations kept RCB in check until Shepherd took charge.

As the innings dwindled, Shepherd unleashed mayhem in the final two overs. He reached his fifty in just 14 balls, matching the likes of Pat Cummins and KL Rahul. The once-disciplined CSK bowling attack was left flabbergasted and aimless.

Even Tim David's season-best strike rate of 198 paled in comparison as Shepherd's strike rate soared over 300 during his innings. Thanks to Shepherd's explosive performance and earlier efforts from Kohli and Bethell, RCB concluded with a formidable total of 213 – their highest at home this season.

Brief scores:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru 213/5 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 62, Jacob Bethell 55, Romario Shepherd 53 not out; Matheesha Pathirana 3-63, Noor Ahmad 1-26) against Chennai Super Kings