Khaleel Ahmed concedes record 33 runs in IPL 2025`s most expensive over: WATCH

Chennai Super Kings pacer Khaleel Ahmed will certainly want to forget the nightmare he endured during his side`s IPL 2025 clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

In what became the most expensive over of the season, Ahmed was ruthlessly punished by RCB all-rounder Romario Shepherd, who unleashed a barrage of powerful hits, resulting in a staggering 33 runs conceded in the 19th over of the innings. This over alone contributed to a humiliating total of 65 runs from his three-over spell, making it the costliest bowling performance in IPL history.

The disastrous over from Khaleel was a turning point in a high-stakes encounter at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. Shepherd’s fireworks, which included a flurry of sixes and boundaries, completely turned the tide in RCB`s favour, leaving the CSK pacer helpless. Ahmed`s inability to rein in Shepherd`s onslaught shattered CSK`s hopes of containing RCB`s late surge, and the damage done was impossible to recover from.

Earlier, a commanding performance by Virat Kohli (62) and Jacob Bethell (55) helped RCB to set a formidable target of 214. Kohli, in typical fashion, showcased his aggressive flair, smashing five sixes and as many fours, amassing 62 runs off just 33 balls. His innings was a perfect blend of timing and power, anchoring the RCB innings while laying the groundwork for the explosive finish that followed. Bethell, too, played a crucial role, contributing 55 runs off 33 balls, including eight boundaries and two sixes. The duo added a quickfire 97 runs for the opening wicket, putting CSK on the back foot early.

However, after a promising start, RCB`s middle order, including Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, and Jitesh Sharma, struggled to capitalize, leaving the responsibility to the lower middle order. Enter Romario Shepherd, whose blistering 53* off just 14 balls ensured a grand finish for RCB. Shepherd`s attack on Khaleel Ahmed, especially in the final overs, was relentless. His sixes and quick-fire runs turned the match on its head, taking RCB to a total that seemed out of CSK`s reach.

Despite a valiant effort by CSK`s Matheesha Pathirana, who returned figures of 3/36, RCB’s explosive finish proved too much for the Super Kings. The remarkable late surge, coupled with Khaleel`s record-breaking spell, left CSK unable to stem the flow of runs, resulting in a massive total for RCB to defend.

Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bangalore – 213/5 in 20 overs (Jacob Bethell 55, Virat Kohli 62, Romario Shepherd 53*; Matheesha Pathirana 3/36) vs Chennai Super Kings

This article first appeared on Mid Day