🔥 The Romario Shepherd Storm: Overs 18 to 20
Romario Shepherd turned the match on its head with a mind-bending assault in the final two overs, smashing 6 sixes and 4 fours in just 14 balls.
- 18th Over – Carnage Begins (Khaleel Ahmed):
Shepherd tore into Khaleel, who conceded 33 runs, the most expensive over of IPL 2025.- 18.1: SIX over midwicket – picked a back-of-length slower one.
- 18.2: SIX down the ground – beautifully slotted.
- 18.3: FOUR off a thick edge.
- 18.4: SIX off a full toss.
- 18.5: SIX (No-Ball) – carved over point from a no-balance position.
- 18.5 (Free Hit): Dot (wide yorker saved some pride).
- 18.6: FOUR – top edge over short fine leg.
- 19th Over – Final Flourish (Pathirana):
Despite his strong earlier spell, even Pathirana wasn’t spared.- 19.2: FOUR dragged pull to midwicket.
- 19.4: FOUR inside half to long-on.
- 19.5: SIX over midwicket into the crowd.
- 20.0: SIX over long-off – sheer power
Shepherd’s finishing surge reminded fans of the best in the business. He ended with a heroic run-a-ball 50+ cameo that pulled the game away from CSK.
👑 Kohli’s Classy Onslaught at the Top
Virat Kohli set the tone early with a stunning 62 off 33 balls, punishing every bowler.
- Reached his fifty in just 29 balls with 5 fours and 5 sixes.
- Targeted Kamboj and Khaleel for early damage.
- Key shots:
- 3 sixes off Khaleel including a whipped beauty over square leg.
- Vintage cover drive and a thumping pull off Sam Curran.
- Dismissed trying to upper-cut a bouncer from Curran.
💥 Bethell’s Breakout: A Knock of Maturity
Jacob Bethell backed Kohli with a composed and classy 55 off 33 balls.
- Mixed innovation and timing:
- Reverse lap to reach his 50.
- Lofted drives and a 99-meter pull showcased his range.
- Dismissed via top-edge off Pathirana, with Brevis diving forward to pull off a stunner.
🔥 CSK Bowling Breakdown: Overs of Drama and Despair
🧨 Matheesha Pathirana – 4 overs, 0 Maiden, 36 Runs, 3 Wickets
Key Moments:
- Wickets:
- Padikkal (15.1) – Out caught by Jadeja trying to go over cover.
- Bethell (9.5) – Top-edge pull caught brilliantly by Brevis.
- Patidar (17.4) – Mistimed drive to mid-off, caught by Sam Curran.
- 18th & 19th overs:
- Hammered by Shepherd for 4 fours and 3 sixes.
- Pathirana’s final over (20th) also went for a six first ball.
- Death Overs Damage:
- Gave away 40+ runs in his last 2 overs.
- Tactics:
- Mixed pace well early but missed his yorkers at the death.
- Slower balls were picked and punished.
🦁 Sam Curran – 3 overs, 0 Maiden, 34 Runs, 1 Wicket
Key Moments:
- Wicket:
- Virat Kohli (11.5) – Tried to upper cut a short ball, caught at backward point.
- Expensive Moments:
- Went for a six and four to Padikkal (13.3, 13.4).
- Kohli smashed him for a massive six (7.5) as well.
- Variation Usage:
- Used slower balls effectively in the middle overs.
- However, his predictability hurt him.
🧠 Ravindra Jadeja – 3 overs, 0 Maiden, 26 Runs, 0 Wickets
Key Moments:
- Kohli Assault:
- Hit for a six and two boundaries by Kohli in over 10.
- Bethell Reverse Lap (8.2):
- Bethell reverse swept him for a four to raise his fifty.
- Fielding Contribution:
- Took a catch to dismiss Padikkal.
🧿 Noor Ahmad – 3 overs, 0 Maiden, 26 Runs, 1 Wicket
Key Moments:
- Wicket:
- Jitesh Sharma (16.5) – Mis-hit pull shot, caught by Brevis on the boundary.
- Batting Attacks:
- Bethell hit him for a six and two fours (4.3, 4.4, 5).
- Googly & Flight Usage:
- Mixed up his lengths well but got punished when too short or full.
💥 Khaleel Ahmed – 3 overs, 0 Maiden, 65 Runs, 0 Wickets
Key Moments:
- 18th Over:
- Completely taken apart by Romario Shepherd.
- Conceded 33 runs – the most expensive over of IPL 2025.
- 3 sixes, 2 fours, 1 no-ball six, and one edged boundary.
- Early Overs:
- Kohli took him for 19 runs in his second over (3rd of innings).
- No Rhythm:
- Missed his yorkers, predictable short balls punished.
🌟 Anshul Kamboj – 3 overs, 0 Maiden, 25 Runs, 0 Wickets
Key Moments:
- Kohli Dominance:
- Kohli smacked him for multiple boundaries including a six over square leg (5.1, 5.2).
- Fielding Error (3.5):
- Collision with Jadeja cost a potential Bethell wicket.
📊 Summary Table – CSK Bowling Performance
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matheesha Pathirana | 4 | 36 | 3 | 3 wickets but expensive in death overs |
| Sam Curran | 3 | 34 | 1 | Dismissed Kohli but went for plenty |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 3 | 26 | 0 | Kohli targeted him in middle overs |
| Noor Ahmad | 4 | 26 | 1 | Got Jitesh out but not consistent |
| Khaleel Ahmed | 3 | 65 | 0 | Smashed for 33 in 18th over by Shepherd |
| Anshul Kamboj | 3 | 25 | 0 | Inexperienced, punished by Kohli and Bethell |
Turning Points
- Romario Shepherd made the difference with bat, despite being a late entrant.
- Turning Point: 18th over – the no-ball six and the 33-run over shifted momentum permanently.
🎯 CSK Bowling: Bright Start, Bleak End
- Matheesha Pathirana: 3 wickets but leaked runs in his final over.
- Sam Curran: Got Kohli and Jitesh but lacked consistency.
- Noor Ahmad: Bowled economically early and got Jitesh.
- Khaleel Ahmed: Ended with the worst over of the tournament.
⭐ Man of the Match: Romario Shepherd
For a death-overs onslaught that changed the game’s script, Shepherd walks away with the honors. His raw power, precision under pressure, and game-sense sealed a remarkable win.
💬 Final Verdict:
CSK bowlers started well with breakthroughs via Pathirana and Noor, but lost the plot at the death, especially Khaleel’s 33-run over and Pathirana’s expensive finish. Shepherd’s late onslaught totally reversed the momentum.
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