Can Yash Dayal Be the Dhoni-Slayer Again? RCB Triumphs Over CSK in Another Chinnaswamy Nail-Biter!

Bengaluru, May 3 (NationPress) Yash Dayal has done it once more. A year after he stunned the Chinnaswamy crowd by preventing MS Dhoni from achieving a fairytale finish, the left-arm pacer transformed into the executioner again — maintaining his composure in a cacophony of noise to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a thrilling two-run victory against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a nail-biting last-over finish during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Saturday.

With 15 runs needed off the final over, the situation shifted dramatically after Dayal delivered a high full toss, which Shivam Dube struck for six, bringing the requirement down to six runs off three balls. Yet, the 26-year-old remained unfazed, executing three impeccable yorkers to restrict CSK to just four runs. Dayal concluded with impressive figures of 2 for 36 and was quickly swarmed by teammates as the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium erupted in jubilant celebration.

This victory — RCB's sixth consecutive win — propelled them to 16 points, bringing them closer to playoff qualification. It also marked a historic achievement: RCB accomplished a league double over CSK for the very first time in IPL history.

However, the win wouldn't have been possible without Romario Shepherd's explosive finish earlier in the match. Coming in with RCB struggling at 157/5 in the 18th over, Shepherd dismantled CSK's renowned death bowling. His remarkable 14-ball 50 — the joint second-fastest in IPL history — lifted the hosts to an imposing 213/5, marking their highest home total this season.

RCB began strongly after being asked to bat. Debutant Jacob Bethell and the ever-reliable Virat Kohli combined for 71 runs in the power-play, with Bethell scoring a 28-ball fifty and Kohli marking his 62nd IPL half-century.

Kohli's innings pushed him past 500 runs this season, reclaiming the Orange Cap. His 50 against CSK further extended his record as the leading run-scorer against a single IPL franchise, surpassing 1,150 runs.

Nevertheless, after Kohli departed for 62 off 33, RCB stumbled. Matheesha Pathirana and Sam Curran tightened the screws in the middle overs, limiting runs to just 33 in five overs and taking two wickets. As the innings faltered, Shepherd launched a remarkable assault.

In the 19th over, he belted 33 runs off Khaleel Ahmed — hitting four sixes, a no-ball, and a four. Pathirana was not spared either, as the final over cost 23 runs. Shepherd finished unbeaten on 54 off 14 balls, including four fours and six sixes, elevating RCB to 213 — a score that seemed unattainable not long before.

CSK’s chase began cautiously with only 23 runs in the first three overs. However, 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre, playing only his fourth IPL match, shifted the momentum with a stunning performance against Bhuvneshwar Kumar, scoring 26 runs in a single over.

Mhatre quickly secured his maiden IPL fifty off just 25 balls and went on to score 94 off 48, becoming the third-youngest player to achieve a fifty in the league's history.

His clean hitting — including two sixes off Shepherd and a magnificent 98m pull — brought CSK back into contention. At the halfway point, CSK was positioned at 106/2 — their best start of the season. Ravindra Jadeja, promoted to No. 4, matched Mhatre’s aggressive approach with a fluent 50 off 29 balls, attacking both pace and spin.

However, just as it appeared CSK was cruising, Ngidi shifted the dynamics. He dismissed Mhatre with a cleverly disguised slower ball and trapped Dewald Brevis lbw on the very next delivery. Controversy erupted when CSK's review was denied despite confusion over the timer display. Replays suggested Brevis might have survived, but the original decision stood, leading to animated protests from Jadeja.

Still, CSK rallied. Jadeja struck a massive 109m six, and when Dhoni entered, the Chinnaswamy crowd fell silent. He smashed Bhuvneshwar for a six, keeping hopes alive. The tension peaked in the 20th over, with Kohli dropping a catch at extra cover and a waist-high full toss dispatched for six, suggesting Dhoni's magic was about to unfold.

Yet, Dayal, for the second year in a row, maintained his composure against the legendary finisher. A pair of scorching yorkers followed by another toe-crushing delivery proved sufficient. Dhoni was caught plumb in front on the final ball — a review confirmed three reds, sealing RCB's remarkable victory.

For RCB, this represents a statement of resurgence — six consecutive wins, 16 points, and a solid claim to a playoff spot.

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) beat Chennai Super Kings 211/5 in 20 overs (Ayush Mhatre 94, Ravindra Jadeja 77; Lungi Ngidi 3-30, Krunal Pandya 1-24) by two runs.