Chennai Super Kings (CSK) quick Khaleel Ahmed was blown to bits by Romario Shepherd in the penultimate over of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) innings after they were invited to bat first by the opposition at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday evening. The pacer was struck for 33 runs by the tail-ender, who does have a reputation to send opposition in disarray with his lusty blows.
The over saw the momentum once again slip from the hands of CSK, who had brought the house under control after an explosive 97-run opening stand between Virat Kohli and Jacob Bethell.
When Khaleel started the over, RCB were batting at 159/5 and 200 felt like a distant total for the hosts. However, by the time it ended RCB had reached 192/5 with an over to spare as Shepherd quickly moved to 33 off just 9 balls.
He then went to smash Matheesha Pathirana, who led the CSK recovery, for 21 runs in the final over and in the process completed his half-century off just 14 deliveries, which came in the final ball of the innings. This was the joint second-fastest half-century in the history of the tournament.
Fastest fifty in IPL history (by balls faced)
13 - Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR) vs KKR, 2023
14 - KL Rahul (PBKS) vs DC, 2018
14 - Pat Cummins (KKR) vs MI, 2022
14 - Romario Shepherd (RCB) vs CSK, 2025*
Shepherd returned unbeaten on 53 off 14 balls, an innings studded four boundaries and six maximums, at a strike-rate of almost 350. His efforts helped RCB pile a staggering 213-5 in 20 overs, leaving CSK with a mountain to climb.
Khaleel's 19th over, on the other hand, saw him script an unwanted record as he became the bowler to bowl the most expensive over for the franchise in IPL.
The most expensive over for CSK in IPL
33 - Khaleel Ahmed vs RCB, 2025*
30 - Lungi Ngidi vs RR, 2020
30 - Sam Curran vs KKR, 2021 29 - DJ Bravo vs MI, 2019
Meanwhile, Pathirana returned with 3 wickets and gave 46 runs in his full quota of overs.
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