Bengaluru: In a pulsating final-over showdown, Yash Dayal once again turned hero for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), defending 14 runs against MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja to clinch a nail-biting 2-run victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. With this win, RCB surged to the top of the IPL 2025 points table with 16 points, edging closer to a playoff berth.
RCB Posts 213 in High-Scoring Clash
Batting first on a flat, batting-friendly surface, RCB posted a commanding 213 for 5, led by standout knocks from:
- Virat Kohli – 62 (classic strokeplay anchoring the innings)
- Will Jacks’ replacement, Jacob Bethell – a quickfire 55
- Romario Shepherd – an explosive 53 off just 20 balls*, taking RCB past 200 in the final overs
CSK’s Matheesha Pathirana kept things tight with the ball, claiming 3 for 36, but the RCB middle-order firepower proved too strong.
CSK Fightback Falls Short by 2 Runs
In reply, CSK gave RCB a serious scare. Young opener Rohan Mhatre played a sensational knock of 94, while Jadeja’s unbeaten 77 kept hopes alive deep into the chase. However, the required run rate crept up, and it all boiled down to 14 needed off the last over — a déjà vu moment for CSK fans.
Enter Yash Dayal.
The left-arm seamer, who famously defended against Dhoni in IPL 2024, repeated his heroics on a dew-slicked ball, showing nerves of steel under pressure. His calm execution under high stakes ensured RCB walked away with a vital win.
Match Summary:
RCB 213/5 (Kohli 62, Bethell 55, Shepherd 53*, Pathirana 3-36)
CSK 211/5 (Mhatre 94, Jadeja 77*, Ngidi 3-30)
Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 2 runs
Key Takeaways:
- Yash Dayal’s death-over brilliance continues to haunt CSK
- RCB climbs to No.1 on the IPL 2025 points table with 16 points
- Virat Kohli leads from the front again with another 50+ score
- Jadeja’s valiant effort falls just short, despite late fireworks
- RCB’s playoff hopes look brighter than ever after a pressure-packed win
