The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was electric on May 3, 2025, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched a dramatic 2-run victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match 52 of the IPL 2025. This thrilling encounter had it all—blistering batting, game-changing bowling, and a finish that left fans gasping. With RCB posting a mammoth 213/5 and CSK fighting valiantly to finish at 211/5, the match showcased why the RCB-CSK rivalry is one of cricket’s greatest spectacles. Let’s unpack the drama that unfolded in this unforgettable clash.
RCB’s Batting Fireworks Light Up Match 52
RCB’s batting was a masterclass in aggression and precision, setting the tone for this thrilling encounter. Opting to bat first after CSK won the toss, RCB’s openers Virat Kohli and Jacob Bethell laid a rock-solid foundation with a 97-run partnership. Kohli, in vintage form, smashed 62 off 33 balls, peppering the boundary with five fours and five sixes. Bethell complemented him with a stylish 55 off 33, including eight fours and two sixes, proving his worth as a young gun.
However, the real game-changer was Romario Shepherd’s explosive 53* off just 14 balls, featuring four fours and six sixes. His assault in the 19th over against Khaleel Ahmed—yielding 33 runs with a sequence of 6,6,4,6,6,4—propelled RCB to 213/5. Shepherd’s knock, the joint second-fastest fifty in IPL history, earned him the Player of the Match award. Despite a relatively quiet 11 off 15 from captain Rajat Patidar, RCB’s total looked daunting on a pitch that wasn’t as batsman-friendly as Chinnaswamy’s reputation suggested.
CSK’s Valiant Chase Falls Agonizingly Short
Chasing 214 in this thrilling encounter, CSK started with intent, driven by young opener Ayush Mhatre’s fearless 94 off 48 balls. Mhatre, just 17, announced himself on the big stage, hammering nine fours and five sixes, including a 98-meter six off Shepherd. His 114-run third-wicket stand with Ravindra Jadeja (77* off 45) kept CSK in the hunt, raising hopes of an improbable victory. Jadeja, batting at No. 4, played a mature knock, anchoring the chase while unleashing timely boundaries.
However, the tide turned in the 17th over when Lungi Ngidi struck twice in two balls, dismissing Sam Curran and another set batter (likely Mhatre, caught by Krunal Pandya at deep mid-wicket for 94). With 43 runs needed off the last four overs, CSK’s hopes rested on Jadeja, Shivam Dube (8*), and MS Dhoni. The final over, bowled by Yash Dayal, was a rollercoaster—Dayal conceded a high full toss to Dube but regained composure to defend 17 runs, restricting CSK to 211/5. The 2-run defeat was CSK’s closest chase of the season, but it underscored their struggles, having won only two of 11 matches.
Turning Points That Defined RCB’s Triumph
Several moments swung this thrilling encounter in RCB’s favor. The 97-run opening stand gave RCB a platform, but Shepherd’s late blitz transformed a good total into a near-unassailable one. On the bowling front, Krunal Pandya’s slower-ball bouncer to dismiss Mhatre was a masterstroke, breaking CSK’s momentum. Ngidi’s 17th over, described as a game-changer, saw two wickets fall, earning him Cricinfo’s MVP award with 115.46 impact points.
Yash Dayal, despite a nervy high full toss in the final over, held his nerve to deliver three crucial balls, ensuring RCB’s victory. CSK’s dropped catches in the 16th over, sparing both Mhatre and Jadeja, briefly tilted the game, but RCB’s bowlers capitalized on the pressure. The dew factor made bowling tricky, yet RCB’s strategic use of spinners like Pandya and pace variations from Ngidi and Dayal outsmarted CSK’s batters at critical junctures.
The Bigger Picture: RCB Soars, CSK Sinks
This victory propelled RCB to the top of the IPL 2025 points table with 16 points from 11 matches, inching them closer to a playoff berth. Their balanced performance—explosive batting backed by disciplined bowling—highlighted their title credentials. For CSK, already eliminated from playoff contention, this loss was a bitter pill. Despite Mhatre’s heroics and Jadeja’s resilience, their season has been marred by a mid-season captaincy change to MS Dhoni (after Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury) and a poor auction strategy. CSK’s batting depth was exposed, with key players like Dewald Brevis and Dube unable to contribute significantly. As MS Dhoni reflected post-match, CSK’s failure to nail yorkers and convert shots cost them dearly, while he praised Shepherd’s death-overs dominance.
Conclusion: A Match 52 Masterpiece
Match 52 was a testament to why RCB vs CSK is the IPL’s marquee rivalry. From Kohli and Shepherd’s pyrotechnics to Mhatre and Jadeja’s spirited chase, this thrilling encounter delivered drama until the final ball. RCB’s ability to hold their nerve under pressure, exemplified by Dayal’s last-over heroics, secured a victory that will be etched in fans’ memories. As RCB basks in their table-topping glory, CSK will look to salvage pride in their remaining games. For now, Match 52 stands as a shining example of T20 cricket at its exhilarating best, with RCB beating CSK in a clash that lived up to its billing.
