Royal Challengers Bengaluru were in danger of getting restricted around the 160-170-run mark against Chennai Super Kings. After blistering batting by Virat Kohli and Jacob Bethell, the remaining batters slowed down the pace of the innings alarmingly, with Noir Ahmad dictating terms with the ball. Virat and Jacob added 97 runs in 9.5 overs, but after the departure of the two, the rival bowlers started dominating the willow holders.
However, Romario Shepherd, playing his second match for Bengaluru, came out of the syllabus for the visiting franchise. He pressed the attacking button from the time he set foot on the pitch and ended up scoring an unbeaten 53 runs off 14 balls, including 6 sixes and 4 fours. The West Indies all-rounder was deservingly named the Player of the Match for helping his team win the clash by 2 runs.
Fans roared for the newest match-winner of the franchise, and his every shot was celebrated like a festival. The noise level broke all the previous records from the past few years at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Anant Tyagi, who is one of the commentators in the ongoing 18th season of the league, compared Romario with RCB legends Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle. “This type of roar was heard for Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and Romario Shepherd is the fourth cricketer to get this type of welcome at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru,” he said during the course of Bengaluru’s innings.
Suresh Raina, who was present in the commentary box, agreed with his partner. “You said the right thing. We saw Kieron Pollard winning matches for Mumbai Indians, and now Romario is doing a similar job for RCB. Tremendous batting and match-winning innings by him,” he said.
The Challengers are leading the points table after 8 wins from 11 games so far. They would aim for a top-two finish in the league stage.