Shepherd smashes 14-ball 50 in thrilling RCB win

Bengaluru, the Indian Premier League

Royal Challengers Bengaluru 213-5 (20 overs): Kohli 62 (33), Bethell 55 (33), Shepherd 53 (14), Pathirana 3-36

Chennai Super Kings 211-5 (20 overs): Ayush 94 (48), Jadeja 77* (45), Ngidi 3-30

Bengaluru defeated Bengaluru by two runs to win.

With just two runs to go, Bengaluru defeated Chennai Super Kings to claim the lead in Indian Premier League history.

At the end of the 18th over, the West Indian batter had a lead before scoring a superb 53 not out of 14 balls for RCB, who went 213-5.

However, bottom-placed Chennai almost managed to pull off a remarkable chase thanks to 114 runs for the third wicket from Ayush Mhatre (94) and Ravindra Jadeja (77 not out).

Ayush and Dewald Brevis were taken out by Lungi Ngidi and left the visitors 1762-4, but Jadeja and another veteran, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, both of whom had dug in, left their side with 15 minutes before the final whistle.

Yash Dayal conceded two singles before taking Dhoni lbw for 12, but Shivam Dube’s six-ball was a waist-high no-ball.

However, Dayal made it six of the final three balls and made his final six deliveries for one each to seal the victory that gave RCB two points clear of the IPL standings.

Jacob Bethell and Virat Kohli (62) put on a strong opening stand of 97, which was a strong start for the competition’s new leaders.

At 21 and 192 days, England’s Aaron Bethell became the third-youngest player to reach the milestone with his maiden IPL half-century.

Just before the halfway point, Chennai put on a strong bowling display that put their opponents’ innings on hold before being caught by Brevis off Matheesha Pathirana for 55.

With 12 balls left, RCB were 97-1, but Shepherd was able to hold on to go 159-5.

He set records for four fours and six sixes, with Pathirana’s final six deliveries costing 21 and Khaleel Ahmed’s final one coming in at 33.

Ayush, age 17, nearly took the lead when he hit 14 boundaries before Krunal Pandya attempted to make his first IPL century debut with a six.

After catching Brevis lbw and dismissing Sam Curran earlier in the innings, Ngidi finished with 3-30 overall, but Dayal took the bowling hats as he clinched the victory with some steely death bowling.