IPL 2025 | RCB batters put on a fine show

Bengaluru: A scorching start and a fiery finish from Royal Challengers Bengaluru laid the foundation for the hosts to heap more misery on a beleaguered Chennai Super Kings in an IPL game here on Saturday.

Seemingly losing their way following an explosive 97-run stand off just 59 balls from the openers Jacob Bethell (55, 33b, 8x4, 2x6) and Virat Kohli (62, 33b, 5x4, 5x6), Royal Challengers found a saviour in Romario Shepherd as the West Indian’s eye-popping 53 not out off 14 balls powered them to an imposing 213/5 in 20 overs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

For a fifth time in succession, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar lost the toss at home but the way Bethell and Kohli started off, the dug-out ended up getting an instant good feel about slaying their eternal rivals for the second time this season — something which they’ve never done since the tournament started in 2008.

Coming in place of regular opener Phil Salt, who missed a second game in succession owing to undisclosed illness, Englishman Bethell played a cracker of an innings that should give the RCB think-tank a tough headache once his compatriot recovers.

Right from the opening over where he creamed Khaleel Ahmed for three successive boundaries, the 21-year-old southpaw showed why he’s been touted one of the exciting young talents in world cricket. Cashing on some ordinary bowling from CSK, Bethell just kept going at the rate of knots that upped the confidence of his partner Kohli.

The former RCB skipper, who has turned the clock back beautifully this IPL, matched the youngster shot for shot with some majestic hits. Pulled sixes, flicks into the stands, flowing drives… Kohli looked in a mood as carnage flowed from either ends. With none of his bowlers showing the requisite discipline, CSK skipper MS Dhoni looked bereft of ideas.

The rate at which both Bethell, dropped on 27 after Matheesa Pathirana bumped into Ravindra Jadeja, and Kohli were going, a total in the vicinity of 250 looked possible. But then against the run of play, Bethell departed following an outstanding catch from Dewald Brevis in the 10th over.

Kohli too departed two overs later and that allowed CSK to apply the brakes on RCB. Spinner Noor Ahmed, Jadeja and Pathirana bowled some tight overs in the middle phase as RCB batters Devdutt Padikkal, Patidar and Jitesh Sharma struggled to get a move-on on a pitch that displayed tacky character. 

Romario Shepherd brought in the late fireworks by adding 53 not out in 14 balls for RCB.

They lost wickets in trying to up the ante, sliding to 157/5 with 14 balls remaining. It looked like RCB were imploding at the stage before Shepherd stepped up to change the complexion of the game. The 30-year-old smashed four boundaries and six sixes, literally sending everything he touched into the night sky that left the packed audience spellbound.

The stage is set for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s bowlers now to complete the demolition job.