Yash Dayal Seals Thrilling Victory for RCB
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ascended to the top of the 2025 Indian Premier League table after clinching a nail-biting two-run victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, May 3rd. Bowler Yash Dayal successfully defended a challenging target in the final over against MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja, securing crucial points for RCB.
RCB Batting
After being asked to bat first, RCB posted a formidable total of 213 for 5. The innings was initially powered by a strong opening partnership, with Virat Kohli scoring his seventh fifty of the season (62 off 33 balls) and debutant Jacob Bethell impressing with 55 runs. Despite a slowdown during the middle overs where CSK bowler Matheesha Pathirana claimed three wickets, RCB finished with incredible momentum thanks to Romario Shepherd. Shepherd struck an explosive unbeaten 53 off just 15 balls, including a 14-ball half-century (joint second-fastest in IPL history), propelling RCB past the 200-mark with 54 runs coming off the final two overs.
Chennai Chase Led by Mhatre and Jadeja
Chennai Super Kings mounted a valiant pursuit of the 214-run target. Seventeen-year-old Ayush Mhatre played a stunning innings, scoring 94 off only 48 balls and showcasing remarkable talent. He shared a blistering 114-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Ravindra Jadeja, who himself played with renewed attacking intent, finishing unbeaten on 77. Their stand kept CSK firmly in the hunt, bringing the equation down significantly heading into the final overs. Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the RCB bowlers with figures of 3 for 30.
Dayal Holds Nerve and the Key
With CSK needing 35 runs from the final three overs, and later 14 from the last six balls with Dhoni and Jadeja at the crease, the match was intensely poised. After Suyash Sharma bowled a tight 18th over, and Dhoni struck a six off Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the 19th, the responsibility fell upon Yash Dayal. Despite the pressure and dew, Dayal executed his plans effectively. Although conceding a six off a high full toss (deemed a no-ball later, but the free hit wasn't costly), he crucially dismissed MS Dhoni and restricted Jadeja and Shivam Dube in the final deliveries, conceding only 11 runs to seal the two-run victory.
