Romario Shepherd Smashes 2nd Fastest IPL Fifty

Romario Shepherd turned absolute beast mode on Saturday night in Bengaluru, lighting up the Chinnaswamy with a jaw-dropping 14-ball fifty that left Chennai Super Kings shell-shocked. In a game where every run mattered, Shepherd’s onslaught proved the difference, helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru edge CSK by just two runs and go top of the IPL 2025 table.

The West Indian all-rounder came out swinging and pulled off the second-fastest half-century in IPL history — just one ball shy of Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 13-ball record. But make no mistake, this knock was nothing short of extraordinary. The chaos began in the 19th over. Poor Khaleel Ahmed was the unfortunate target. Shepherd treated him like a bowling machine gone rogue, smashing 33 runs in the over — the most expensive over in this year’s IPL. The first ball, a slower one wide of off, was calmly dispatched. Then came a slot ball, and Shepherd launched it straight down the ground. He wasn’t done yet. Even a wide off-cutter got the same treatment — an edge flew over short third for four. 

By this point, Khaleel was clearly rattled. He served up a full toss, and Shepherd lashed it past him for another six. The fifth ball? Pure chaos. Khaleel went around the wicket with a slower one outside off, but Shepherd, even while off balance, carved it over point for six. Then came the twist — it was a no-ball, as Khaleel’s back foot had brushed the return crease. The free hit was a rare dot thanks to a brilliant yorker, but Shepherd wasn’t letting the over end quietly. He capped it off with yet another boundary, leaving Khaleel stunned and RCB fans in absolute delirium. 

Shepherd had just one run to his name at the end of the 18th over. By the time the innings closed, he was unbeaten on a mind-blowing 53 off 14 balls, taking RCB to a massive 213 for 5. In the final over, he kept going — smashing Pathirana for two fours and two sixes, and then bringing up his milestone with a booming maximum over long-off. While Yashasvi Jaiswal still holds the crown for the fastest IPL fifty, Romario Shepherd is now second on that list — and the fastest to do it in an RCB jersey. 

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