Sat May 03 15:00:00 UTC 2025: ## RCB Post Massive Total Against CSK Despite Rain Threat
**Bengaluru, India** – Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) put up a daunting 213/5 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 52nd match of IPL 2025 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, May 3rd. Despite a looming rain threat that could potentially wash out the match and impact RCB’s playoff hopes, they delivered a powerful batting performance.
CSK, winning the toss and opting to bowl, found themselves on the back foot as RCB batsmen unleashed a flurry of boundaries. Romario Shepherd smashed an unbeaten 53 off just 14 balls, becoming the third player in IPL history to achieve a fifty in under 15 balls. His incredible innings, coupled with half-centuries from Virat Kohli (62) and Jacob Bethell (55), propelled RCB to a formidable total. Kohli’s explosive batting included two sixes off Khalil Ahmed in a single over. The final two overs yielded a staggering 54 runs, with Shepherd and Tim David (2*) putting on an unbeaten 56-run partnership off only 15 balls. Khalil Ahmed conceded 33 runs in a single over.
Matheesha Pathirana was CSK’s most successful bowler, taking 3 wickets, while Sam Curran and Noor Ahmad each claimed one.
The match was played under the shadow of an impending thunderstorm, with both teams’ practice sessions earlier disrupted by rain. Accuweather forecasts predict possible storms during the evening, raising concerns about potential delays, reduced overs, or even a complete washout. A washout would significantly harm RCB’s chances of progressing to the playoffs, as they currently sit third with 14 points, while CSK is last with 4. At the time of writing, CSK had reached 6/0 after 1 over.
RCB’s playing XI featured one change from their previous match, with Lungi Ngidi replacing Josh Hazlewood. CSK remained unchanged.
First Piper 