IPL 2025 RCB vs CSK: I noticed bowler’s physique language, he was confused: RCB’s Shepherd on assault on CSK’s Khaleel

RCB’s Romario Shepherd performs a shot throughout the IPL 2025 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK). File
| Picture Credit score: Murali Kumar Okay

Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Romario Shepherd mentioned he sensed confusion in Khaleel Ahmed’s pondering, which helped him execute his range-hitting plans successfully towards the Chennai Tremendous Kings pacer within the dying overs.

Shepherd modified the course of the IPL match right here on Saturday (Might 4, 2025) night time with a blistering unbeaten 14-ball 53 in RCB’s two-run win. It was the joint second-fastest fifty within the historical past of the league.

“To be sincere, I used to be extra centered on the bowler and what he was attempting to do. After I hit the primary two (sixes), I knew I had the bowler beneath strain. I noticed his physique language. So I used to be like, okay, let me try to put him beneath some extra strain,” mentioned Shepherd within the post-match press convention.

“Then I noticed him (Khaleel Ahmed), he was form of confused. So, I do know I had him. So, at that time, I simply proceed going,” he added.

The quickest fifty of the IPL was struck off simply 13 balls by Yashasvi Jaiswal in 2023, whereas each KL Rahul (2018) and Pat Cummins (2022) had additionally earlier made half-centuries off 14 balls.

Shepherd punished Ahmed for 33 runs within the nineteenth over and Matheesha Pathirana for 21 runs within the twentieth over as RCB raced 213 for 5 from 159 for 5 on the finish of the 18th over.

However the Guyanese cricketer mentioned he was not pre-meditating to hit all of the balls out of the park.

“After I walked in, I had an concept of what they have been attempting to bowl. So, I went on the market, ready for that. Then Timmy (Tim David) informed me simply to carry my form a bit as a result of the ball was creeping within the wicket. So my mindset mechanically modified to simply base up and watch the ball, hit in my areas and do not try to swing earlier than, swing too early,” he mentioned.

However how robust was it for him to return out within the seventeenth over and go hammer and tongs from ball one? “It wasn’t tough watching them win, however, you recognize, for me, I wished the chance to go there, and at present offered that. However not saying that I used to be pondering of going there and hitting 53 of 14.

“However I used to be simply pondering to try to get my staff to a great end and try to get the momentum again as a result of at one stage of the sport they (CSK) had the momentum going into the final two or three overs,” he added.

Shepherd obtained a style of his personal drugs when Ayush Mhatre and Ravindra Jadeja mixed to cart him for 18 in his solitary over.

However that was not sufficient to make the 30-year-old repent on his personal beautiful assault on bowlers.

“Right now wasn’t a great day to really feel unhappy for bowlers as a result of myself went over 18,” he quipped.

“So on a great wicket, on these small grounds, as a hitter and as a run-getter, I attempt to capitalise on no matter alternative presents itself. Each time I get a chance with a bat, I do know that I’ve to do my greatest to really get some type of efficiency in.

“It is as a result of, I do know, with the ball it will likely be tough as a result of on these wickets and these kinds of batters, they hunt you, man. They hunt you,” he signed off.