Lara Zijl 
By Kara Riggs, NZB News
4 May 2025
Royal Challengers Bengaluru edged Chennai Super Kings by 2 runs in a nail-biting Match 52 of the Indian Premier League 2025 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, on 3 May 2025, claiming the top spot with 16 points. RCB’s 213 for 5, powered by Virat Kohli’s 62 off 33 balls, Jacob Bethell’s 55 off 33, and Romario Shepherd’s 53 not out off 14, was nearly overhauled by CSK’s Ayush Mhatre’s 94 off 48 and Ravindra Jadeja’s 77 not out off 45. Yash Dayal’s final-over heroics sealed the win. For New Zealand fans, CSK’s Rachin Ravindra was absent, but the match was a spectacle of high-octane cricket.
Background Information
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, led by Rajat Patidar, entered the match third with 7 wins from 10, following an 11-run victory over Rajasthan Royals on 24 April, driven by Josh Hazlewood’s 3 wickets. Chennai Super Kings, captained by MS Dhoni, were eliminated with 2 wins from 10, their latest a 4-wicket loss to Punjab Kings on 30 April, despite Sam Curran’s 88. The Chinnaswamy pitch, averaging 210 in first-innings scores, is a batting haven, with dew aiding chases, challenging bowlers like RCB’s Lungi Ngidi and CSK’s Matheesha Pathirana. New Zealand’s Hazlewood has been RCB’s pace leader, but Ravindra’s absence for CSK shifted focus to their youngsters. RCB’s 50-run win over CSK on 28 March in Chennai, their first at Chepauk since 2008, gave them confidence, while CSK sought pride in a dismal season.
Match Details
Teams: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings
Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Date: 3 May 2025
Toss: Chennai Super Kings won the toss and elected to bowl.
Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 2 runs.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru scored 213 for 5 in 20 overs, led by Virat Kohli’s 62 off 33 balls, Jacob Bethell’s 55 off 33, and Romario Shepherd’s 53 not out off 14. CSK’s Matheesha Pathirana took 3 for 36, with Sam Curran claiming 1 for 40. Chennai Super Kings finished at 211 for 5 in 20 overs, with Ayush Mhatre’s 94 off 48 and Ravindra Jadeja’s 77 not out off 45. RCB’s Lungi Ngidi took 2 for 40, with Yash Dayal claiming 1 for 42.
Highlights
RCB’s innings exploded early, with Kohli and Bethell smashing 71 in the powerplay, the highest at Chinnaswamy this season. Bethell’s 55, with eight fours and two sixes, and Kohli’s 62, including five fours and five sixes, built a 97-run opening stand. Pathirana’s catch off his own bowling dismissed Bethell, and Curran removed Kohli, leaving RCB 121 for 2 after 12 overs. A quiet middle phase saw 37 runs between overs 12 and 18, but Shepherd’s 53 not out, with four fours and six sixes, including 33 off Khaleel Ahmed’s 19th over (four sixes, two fours), powered RCB to 213, with Tim David’s 2 not out in a 54-run final two overs. CSK’s chase roared to life with Mhatre’s 39 off 58 powerplay runs, including a 26-run Bhuvneshwar Kumar over (4,4,4,6,4,4). Krunal Pandya dismissed Shaik Rasheed for 14, but Mhatre’s 94, with nine fours and five sixes, and Jadeja’s 77 not out, with a 114-run stand, took CSK to 172 for 2 after 16 overs, needing 42 off 22. Ngidi’s 17th over removed Mhatre (94) and Dewald Brevis (0), shifting momentum. Suyash Sharma’s 18th over yielded 6 runs, and Dayal’s final over, defending 15, saw Dhoni’s dismissal for 12 off 8 (caught off a low full toss) after a no-ball six, leaving CSK needing 13 off 3. Three singles off Jadeja and Shivam Dube sealed RCB’s win. Shepherd earned Player of the Match.
Records
Romario Shepherd’s Feat: Shepherd’s 14-ball 53 not out tied the joint second-fastest IPL fifty, behind Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 13-ball 50 (2023). Ayush Mhatre’s Milestone: Mhatre’s 94 was CSK’s highest individual score this season and the highest by a 17-year-old in IPL history. RCB’s Final-Over Heroics: Dayal’s defence of 15 runs was RCB’s second successful final-over defence against CSK, after 2024’s 17-run stand. Most Expensive Over: Khaleel Ahmed’s 19th over (33 runs) was CSK’s costliest in IPL 2025.
Historical Data
RCB’s win narrowed CSK’s head-to-head lead to 21-12 in 34 IPL meetings, with RCB achieving a rare double over CSK in 2025, their first since 2008. At Chinnaswamy, CSK lead 5-4 in 10 clashes, but RCB’s second straight home win over CSK is notable. CSK’s five IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023) dwarf RCB’s 2016 runner-up finish. New Zealand players have starred, with Hazlewood’s 18 wickets for RCB and Ravindra’s 150 runs for CSK this season, though Ravindra missed this game. The IPL’s global pull saw nine Kiwis prioritise the tournament over a T20I series against Pakistan in March 2025. RCB’s earlier 50-run win in Chennai, led by Patidar’s 51, set the tone for their dominance.
Discussion
RCB’s victory was a masterclass in resilience. Kohli and Bethell’s 97-run stand and Shepherd’s 54-run blitz in the final two overs set a daunting 213, exploiting CSK’s bowling errors, notably Khaleel’s 65 runs in 3 overs. Mhatre’s 94 and Jadeja’s 77 nearly pulled off the unthinkable for CSK, but Ngidi’s double strike and Dayal’s composure under pressure, despite a no-ball six, clinched it. For New Zealand fans, Hazlewood’s absence was offset by Ngidi’s 2 for 40, while Ravindra’s absence highlighted CSK’s reliance on youth. The dew-laden Chinnaswamy pitch favoured CSK’s chase, but RCB’s tactical bowling, with Sharma’s tight 18th over, turned the tide. RCB’s leap to first with 16 points solidifies their playoff bid, while CSK’s ninth loss underscores their worst season, with no home wins at Chepauk. Dhoni’s reflection on missed shots and CSK’s bowling frailties points to deeper issues.
IPL 2025 Points Table (as of 4 May 2025)
+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Team | M | W | L | P | NRR |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Royal Challengers |11 | 8 | 3 |16 | +0.523|
| Mumbai Indians |12 | 7 | 5 |14 | +1.274|
| Punjab Kings |10 | 6 | 3 |13 | +0.199|
| Delhi Capitals |11 | 7 | 4 |14 | +0.362|
| Gujarat Titans |11 | 4 | 7 | 8 | +0.450|
| Kolkata Knight Riders |12 | 5 | 6 |11 | +0.273|
| Sunrisers Hyderabad |10 | 4 | 6 | 8 | -0.803|
| Rajasthan Royals |12 | 3 | 9 | 6 | -0.782|
| Lucknow Super Giants |10 | 3 | 7 | 6 | -0.327|
| Chennai Super Kings |11 | 2 | 9 | 4 | -1.213|
+-----------------------+-----------------------+Key: M = Matches, W = Won, L = Lost, P = Points, NRR = Net Run Rate
Orange Cap and Purple Cap Standings
The Orange Cap is held by Suryakumar Yadav of Mumbai Indians with 469 runs in 12 matches, his best being 93 not out. The Purple Cap is held by Josh Hazlewood of Royal Challengers Bengaluru with 18 wickets in 10 matches, his best being 4 for 20.
Next Matches Schedule
On 4 May 2025, Punjab Kings face Lucknow Super Giants in Dharamsala at 7:30 PM IST. On 5 May 2025, Sunrisers Hyderabad play Delhi Capitals in Hyderabad at 7:30 PM IST. On 6 May 2025, Mumbai Indians take on Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata at 7:30 PM IST. On 7 May 2025, Gujarat Titans meet Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad at 3:30 PM IST, and Rajasthan Royals face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad at 7:30 PM IST. On 7 May 2025, Chennai Super Kings play Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens at 7:30 PM IST. On 9 May 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru face Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow at 7:30 PM IST.
What’s Next?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru face Lucknow Super Giants on 9 May 2025 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, where Kohli, Shepherd, and Dayal aim to extend their winning run to secure a playoff berth. Chennai Super Kings take on Kolkata Knight Riders on 7 May 2025 at Eden Gardens, with Dhoni, Mhatre, and Jadeja playing for pride to salvage their campaign. RCB’s 16 points position them as playoff frontrunners, while CSK’s 4 points reflect a season to forget.
Summary
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s 2-run victory over Chennai Super Kings was a thrilling IPL 2025 classic. Virat Kohli’s 62, Jacob Bethell’s 55, and Romario Shepherd’s 53 not out powered RCB to 213 for 5. Ayush Mhatre’s 94 and Ravindra Jadeja’s 77 not out took CSK to 211 for 5, falling short after Yash Dayal’s final-over heroics, dismissing MS Dhoni and restricting to three singles. The win, RCB’s eighth, propels them to first with 16 points, while CSK’s ninth loss cements their elimination with 4 points. For New Zealand fans, Lungi Ngidi’s wickets shone without Rachin Ravindra. As RCB chase playoff glory and CSK seek redemption, IPL 2025 delivers unrelenting drama.
