11:55pm And...breathe. A rip-roaring game of cricket, and one that could have massive implications, especially for RCB and their trophy-charge. We hope you enjoyed our coverage and we will be back to do it all over again tomorrow, with two games lined up. Until then, from Sudeep and myself (Shashwat), this is goodbye!

Romario Shepherd, Player of the Match: I had my opportunity today, was waiting for it for a long time. Wanted to give the team a good finish. (On where his power come from) My base and the way I swing. Even today, I was just trying to hold my shape and took it from there. (Does he train for these shots) DK came and gave us some specific work and tonight, it paid off for the team. I was not thinking about the score. Just taking it ball by ball, and wanted to hit each ball for four or six. Was trying to stay relaxed, hold my base and hit. (On if he is more of a batter or a bowler) I try to keep it 50-50, but did not come off with the ball (laughs). Bad day with the ball (for me), but we got over the line with the boys (Dayal, Bhuvneshwar and Ngidi) pulling us out of the mud.

Rajat Patidar, RCB captain: It was a tight game. Credit goes to their batters, the way they batted, it was really nice to see. The way the bowlers have shown their (ability), it was incredible. He (Dayal) is the main bowler of our team, a death-overs specialist. It was a clear-cut message to give him the last over. Last year as well, he did the same thing for the team and he did it again (tonight). I had confidence in Suyash also. He has been bowling good overs for RCB. The decision was 50-50 at the moment and I backed my bowler, and the way he bowled, it was really good. (On Shepherd's sixes) That was not easy to go straightaway and hit those big sixes. He has the power and the skill, just enjoying his long sixes from the dugout. The way Lungi (bowled), he is a very experienced bowler. I have good confidence in him. As a team, it is a positive to be on the top. We are not aiming for qualification, and these three matches are crucial. (On if there will be a party tonight) A little bit but we will do it at the end.

MS Dhoni, CSK captain: I felt I should have converted a couple of more shots, and ease the pressure, so I will take the blame for it. Shepherd in the death overs was excellent - whatever we were bowling, he was able to hit it for maximum runs. We need to practice more yorkers. More often than not, when the batters start to connect, you have to rely (on the yorkers). If you cannot nail the yorker, the low full toss is the next best (option). Someone like Pathirana, he has the pace, he can bowl the bouncer as well, and if he misses (the yorker), the batter has a chance to hit it. Not all batters are comfortable playing that (the paddle) shot. Something the batters need to practice in the modern era. But most of our batters are not comfortable playing it. Jadeja plays that shot but he was backing his shots (down the ground) more. Batting was an area where we were slightly behind. But today, as a department, feel the batting did very well.

Dinesh Karthik, RCB team mentor: It will take a humongous effort to stop them scoring the runs that were left in the last over. But Yash being Yash, he delivered. Sometimes games like this uplift the mood and I am glad it happened that way. We had good batters (towards the end), Jitesh, David and Romario. It was not an easy pitch to start on. It has been really hard to start on initially, so maybe take a few balls but when you get set, make sure you hit strong shots. He (Yash Dayal) is right up there with some of the best in India. Yash is again someone who is very diligent. He will come to meetings with a piece of paper. In the same game, one year ago, he did it for us and tonight, he did it again for us. Suyash is that kind of leg-spinner who, under pressure, wants to deliver. He is the kind of spinner India are looking for as well. Because he has bowled so well, Krunal has reaped the benefits.

11:25pm Incredible is probably one of the most-used words to describe the IPL. But make no mistake, This was incredible. A game that ebbed, flowed, and then ebbed again and then flowed again. One moment, Shepherd was ripping CSK to shreds; the next moment, Mhatre was truly announcing himself on the grandest stage, with Jadeja showing off his wares as a No.4 batter.

But in the end, it all came down to three men - Dhoni, Jadeja and Dayal. All of them have been in this situation before. Dhoni and Jadeja more often than Dayal, and as recently as last year at this venue. And just like 2024, Dayal got the job done. There was a hiccup when he bowled a high full toss to Dube, but he soon recovered. And he recovered to deliver three knockout blows, despite Jadeja and Dube trying their best.

Four needed off the last ball. This has been a proper thriller. Surely Dayal goes for the yorker again?

All eyes on Jadeja now. 5 off 2. Dayal has held his nerve against this very opposition at this very venue in the past. Two more good balls, and he will have done so again

6 off 3 now. With a Free hit to come

13 off 3. Advantage RCB now. Dube is the new batter in. He is CSK's Impact Player, remember

13 off 4. Pressure on CSK and Dhoni now

14 off 5. CSK would love a boundary early in the over

Right. It has all come down to this. 15 runs needed off six balls. RCB give away 13 or less, and they go to the top of the table. CSK get 15, and their hoodoo of not chasing 180-plus scores will cease to exist. Dayal to bowl. Over the wicket

Despite a boundary off the first ball, this over has only gone for seven. 22 off 8 now

24 off 10. Dhoni on strike

29 off 12. Bhuvneshwar to bowl the penultimate over. RCB with the momentum from the previous over, CSK with oodles of experience.

Ddn: "Bhuvi will be crucial here. He's been leaking runs and needs to be effective here"

Just two off three so far. What does Dhoni do now? Does he look for the big hit, or does he get Jadeja back on strike? 33 off 15

Krunal is off the field, by the way, and is holding his left leg. Over the wicket

With Dhoni out in the middle, spin comes on, and Suyash has been tasked with bowling the 18th. CSK need 35 off 18

Re: the Brevis dismissal, Ball Tracking confirms the ball would have missed leg stump completely. Ordinary decision by the umpire and an even ordinary call by CSK to not review