IPL 2025: Yash Dayal Holds Nerve in Last-Over Thriller as RCB Clinch Historic Win Over CSK
Yash Dayal emerged as Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s unlikely hero once again, delivering a nerveless final over to seal a thrilling two-run victory over Chennai Super Kings in a high-octane IPL 2025 clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. With the win, RCB not only extended their winning streak to six matches but also completed a league double over CSK for the first time in the tournament’s history.
Needing 15 runs off the final over, Chennai looked on course for another MS Dhoni special after Shivam Dube dispatched a high full toss for six. However, Dayal kept his cool, delivering three inch-perfect yorkers under pressure to restrict CSK to just four runs off the final three balls. He finished with 2 for 36 and was engulfed by teammates as the stadium erupted in euphoric celebration.
The win lifted RCB to 16 points, putting them within touching distance of a playoff berth.
Shepherd’s Power Surge Sets the Stage
Earlier, it was Romario Shepherd who turned the game on its head with a brutal late onslaught. Walking in at 157/5 in the 18th over, the West Indian all-rounder smashed a blistering 14-ball 50 – the joint second-fastest in IPL history. His fireworks powered RCB to 213/5, their highest home total this season.
Shepherd’s onslaught included a 33-run over off Khaleel Ahmed, featuring four sixes, a four, and a no-ball – tying the record for the third-most expensive over in IPL history. He remained unbeaten on 54 off 14 balls, with four fours and six sixes to his name.
RCB’s innings had started brightly, thanks to debutant Jacob Bethell and the ever-reliable Virat Kohli. The duo added 71 runs in the powerplay, with Bethell hammering a 28-ball 55 and Kohli compiling a fluent 62 off 33. Kohli’s knock took him past 500 runs this season and helped him reclaim the Orange Cap, while also extending his record for most runs against a single IPL franchise – now over 1,150 against CSK.
Despite a middle-over squeeze applied by Matheesha Pathirana (3 for 63) and Sam Curran, Shepherd’s late blitz ensured RCB finished with momentum firmly on their side.
CSK’s Spirited Chase Falls Agonisingly Short
CSK’s chase started sluggishly, but 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre injected life into the innings with a breathtaking assault on Bhuvneshwar Kumar, taking 26 off an over. Mhatre raced to a 25-ball fifty and eventually scored a career-best 94 off 48 deliveries, becoming the third-youngest player to register a half-century in IPL history.
Alongside Ravindra Jadeja, who added a fluent 50 off 29, Mhatre kept CSK in the hunt. At the halfway stage, CSK were 106/2 – their best 10-over score of the season.
However, RCB struck back through Lungi Ngidi, who dismissed Mhatre and Dewald Brevis in successive deliveries. The latter dismissal sparked controversy, as CSK were denied a DRS review due to apparent confusion over the timer, and replays suggested Brevis might have survived.
Despite the setback, Jadeja and Dhoni reignited hopes with a flurry of big hits. Jadeja launched a monstrous 109-metre six, and Dhoni’s arrival quietened the stadium. A six off Bhuvneshwar brought the equation within reach.
Then came the final over drama. After Kohli dropped a catch at extra cover and a full toss was dispatched for six, CSK needed six off three. But Dayal, just as he had in 2024, held his nerve against Dhoni. A series of lethal yorkers followed, culminating in Dhoni’s dismissal LBW off the final ball – confirmed via DRS.
A Statement Win for RCB
With six consecutive victories, RCB’s resurgence continues, and their playoff ambitions now look increasingly solid. For CSK, the heartbreak will sting – particularly after coming so close to another Dhoni miracle.
Brief Scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 213/5 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 62, Jacob Bethell 55, Romario Shepherd 54*; Matheesha Pathirana 3-63, Noor Ahmad 1-26)
Chennai Super Kings 211/5 in 20 overs (Ayush Mhatre 94, Ravindra Jadeja 77; Lungi Ngidi 3-30, Krunal Pandya 1-24)
Result: RCB won by 2 runs.
