Royal Challengers Bengaluru 213 for 5 (Kohli 62, Bethell 55, Shepherd 53, Pathirana 3-36) beat Chennai Super Kings 211 for 5 (Mhatre 94, Jadeja 77, Ngidi 3-30) by 2 runs**
In another dramatic chapter of their fierce rivalry, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) held their nerve to defeat Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by just two runs in a tense IPL 2025 clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. South African paceman Lungi Ngidi and young batter Dewald Brevis both played crucial roles — one emerging as a hero, the other suffering a moment of anguish as fortunes swung wildly throughout the evening.
RCB’s innings began with fireworks, courtesy of Jacob Bethell (55) and Virat Kohli (62), who posted their team’s highest powerplay score at home this season. But it was Romario Shepherd who set the stadium alight at the death, hammering a sensational 14-ball fifty — the joint second-fastest in IPL history — and propelling RCB to 213. His brutal assault included 54 runs in the last two overs, a blitz that proved vital in the final reckoning.
The chase from CSK was breathtaking and came agonizingly close. Ayush Mhatre, CSK’s 17-year-old prodigy, announced himself with a stunning 94 off 48 balls in a knock full of maturity and daring strokeplay. Partnering with Ravindra Jadeja (77*), Mhatre kept CSK in the hunt even as wickets fell around him.
Enter Lungi Ngidi. Drafted into the XI ahead of the struggling Josh Hazlewood, the South African quick delivered when it mattered most. Ngidi removed both Mhatre — with a clever slower ball that denied the teenager a century — and Sam Curran in a crucial spell. He finished with 3 for 30, his variations and control under pressure playing a pivotal role in tilting the contest.
But even with Mhatre gone, Jadeja and MS Dhoni nearly pulled off a heist. A Virat Kohli drop and late sixes set up a nail-biting finish. Yash Dayal, who famously eliminated CSK from playoff contention in 2024, held his nerve again. Despite conceding a six off a no-ball and bowling in slippery conditions, Dayal delivered a nerveless final over, dismissing Dhoni and restricting CSK to fall two runs short.
For South African fans, the match offered mixed emotions. While Ngidi starred, Dewald Brevis endured a nightmare. Sent in during a key phase, Brevis fell lbw for a golden duck and later saw his DRS appeal ruled out after failing to review within the time limit. That brain fade cost CSK momentum during a crucial stage and could well have been the difference in such a tight finish.
The result propelled RCB to the top of the points table, while CSK were left wondering what might have been — again haunted by Yash Dayal and RCB at the Chinnaswamy.
For South Africa’s stars, the night was a reminder of T20 cricket’s extremes. Ngidi’s redemption with the ball may revive his franchise credentials, while Brevis will be keen to bounce back from a costly lapse that could haunt him through the rest of the season.
Player of the Match: Romario Shepherd (53* off 14)
South African Watch:
- Lungi Ngidi: 4-0-30-3 — crucial strikes, including Mhatre and Curran
- Dewald Brevis: 0 (lbw), costly failure to review in time
RCB now sit pretty at the top, and with their South African spearhead Ngidi hitting form, could be primed for a deep playoff run.
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