Royal Challengers Survive Dhoni Scare to Win High-Scoring Thriller
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) held their nerve in a pulsating finish to defeat Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by just 2 runs in a high-octane IPL 2025 clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. The match was a run-fest, with RCB posting 213/5, and CSK falling just short at 211/5, despite a valiant late surge led by MS Dhoni.
This win gives RCB vital momentum and keeps them in the hunt for a playoff spot, while CSK are left to rue their slow start in the chase.
RCB Post 213/5: Du Plessis and Green Lead the Charge
Batting first on a flat pitch, RCB made full use of the small boundaries. Skipper Faf du Plessis was the architect of the innings, scoring a fluent 70 off 43 balls, with 4 sixes and 6 boundaries. He was well supported by:
- Cameron Green: 52* off 24 balls – explosive death-over hitting
- Virat Kohli: 36 off 25 – provided early momentum
- Dinesh Karthik: 18* off 8 – a brief but impactful cameo
The CSK bowlers, particularly Tushar Deshpande and Ravindra Jadeja, struggled to contain the flow of runs, with RCB finishing strong with 61 runs in the last 5 overs.
CSK’s Chase Falls Agonizingly Short
CSK, in response, got off to a cautious start. Ruturaj Gaikwad scored a solid 61 off 42, but the middle overs lacked acceleration. With 76 needed off the final 5 overs, the game looked beyond reach—until MS Dhoni walked in.
In vintage fashion, Dhoni unleashed a flurry of sixes, bringing CSK within striking distance. He scored 34 off 13 balls*, including 3 sixes in the 19th over, leaving 13 to get off the final over.
RCB pacer Mohammed Siraj held his nerve, bowling full and wide to deny Dhoni the final big shot, and sealed the win for Bengaluru by 2 runs.
Match Summary: RCB vs CSK – IPL 2025
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| RCB | 213/5 (20 overs) |
| CSK | 211/5 (20 overs) |
Player of the Match: Faf du Plessis – 70 (43)
Key Stats
- Faf du Plessis: Crossed 400+ runs this season
- Cameron Green: First half-century for RCB in IPL 2025
- MS Dhoni: Highest score in IPL 2025 despite batting below No. 6
- RCB Death Overs (16–20): Scored 61 runs | CSK: 65 runs
Points Table Implication
With this win, RCB climb to 4th place, boosting their net run rate and playoff chances. CSK, now with 5 losses, slide to 7th and will need to win their remaining matches to stay in the race.
Reactions from the Camp
- Faf du Plessis: “We knew 200 was par here. Cameron Green’s knock was special and Siraj showed great character at the end.”
- MS Dhoni: “We left a bit too much for the end. Proud of the fight, but we have to be sharper earlier in the innings.”
- Mohammed Siraj: “Bowling to Dhoni bhai in the last over is nerve-wracking. I stuck to my plan and it worked.”
Conclusion
In a classic IPL showdown, RCB held off a trademark Dhoni finish to notch up a vital win. With the league entering its final stretch, every game matters—and this one could be the difference-maker for RCB’s playoff campaign. CSK will need to regroup quickly, as their margin for error narrows.
FAQs
Q1: Who won the RCB vs CSK match on May 3, 2025?
A: Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 2 runs.
Q2: Who was the Player of the Match?
A: Faf du Plessis for his 70-run knock.
Q3: How much did MS Dhoni score?
A: 34* off 13 balls.
Q4: Where was the match played?
A: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
Q5: What is RCB’s position on the points table after this match?
A: They moved up to 4th position.
