Romario Shepherd Smashes Joint-Second-Fastest IPL Fifty to Dominate CSK, Sets Target of 214- IPL

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru put on a strong batting show against Chennai Super Kings finishing with a huge total of 214 runs. The opening duo of Jacob Bethell and Virat Kohli gave RCB the perfect start. Bethell was fearless from the get-go, scoring his maiden IPL fifty with a quickfire 55 off 33 balls. Kohli supported him brilliantly, pacing his innings well and then going big in the end making 62 runs in just 33 deliveries.

After the flying start, CSK managed to pull things back in the middle overs. The pitch started to grip a bit and MS Dhoni used his bowlers and fielders smartly to slow down the scoring. For a while, it looked like RCB might finish with a total under 190. But just when CSK thought they were back in the game Romario Shepherd changed everything.

Shepherd was ruthless in the final two overs. He smashed 33 runs in the 19th over against Khaleel Ahmed and then added another 21 in the last over off Pathirana. In no time, he raced to the fastest fifty of this season. His power-hitting gave RCB a massive boost and helped them cross the 200-run mark with ease.

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Romario Shepherd thrilled the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium with a ‘blink and you miss’ knock 🫡🔥

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CSK has a tough chase ahead with 214 runs needed to win. Given their recent struggles, it won’t be easy, but a quick start and a standout knock from someone in the top order could give them hope. With their playoff chances hanging by a thread, this match is all about showing fight and finishing strong.

“It was pretty incredible to watch (Shepherd’s knock). I don’t think he middled many balls there but he was still smacking it two tiers out shows the power of the man and it was nice for him to do that. And for TD (Tim David) to be at the other end.. to have that much power is pretty cool. The chats were just making sure we keep hitting down the ground and react to everything else.” Bethell said after RCB posted 214.

“The pitch felt it wasn’t bouncing as much, I have not obviously batted on it this season, the feedback from Virat was it was a slightly better wicket with the new ball. It was pretty nice, there wasn’t much swing and that made it (batting) easier. It (batting with Kohli) is pretty cool, even in Delhi.. just to match his intensity and today was lovely to spend some more time with him. When I walked off I said 210, I am happy with 3 more than that, there was a stumble in the middle and hopefully our spinners can enforce a bit of that on them in the middle overs, but for Romario to come out and strike like that has put us on a great total.” Bethell added.