It was a question of only one six: Tewatia in Sharjah heroism
September 27, 2020 by Cricbuzz Staff
Rahul Tewatia scored five sixes of Sheldon Cottrell’s 18th over.
The Rajasthan Royals took what appeared to be a very risky punt when they sent left-hander Rahul Tewatia to hit two knockdowns in the chase of Kings XI Punjab’s 223. on the edge of a knife. The idea was for Tewatia to use his big punch against Ravi Bishnoi, KXIP’s leg spinner, to take advantage of the game in the intermissions. But that just didn’t happen as the southpaw struggled to get the ball out of the square and the chase stopped.
“It was the worst 20 balls I’ve ever played,” Tewatia said in the post-game presentation. He faced eight Bishnoi balls, six of which were points. He managed to get a six but fell far behind at 17 of 23. The dugout watched curiously as the match was slipping away, before he dragged it all back to an incredible finish.
“I was hitting the ball really well in the nets, so I was confident in myself. I wasn’t hitting the ball well at first, then I saw in the dugout, everyone was curious because they know I can hit the ball long. I once thought. that I had to believe in myself and it was a matter of only one six, “he said.
With 51 needed from 18 and Sanju Samson ruled out, the game was nearly bagged by Kings XI Punjab. But Sheldon Cottrell’s 18th turned the tables violently. Tewatia brought out the big shot in which the group of experts took a chance and hit five colossal six, one even landed on the road to remove 30 from his left arm. Cottrell tried short balls and then full deliveries, but neither worked as he paved the way for RR’s return. With six others, facing Shami in the penultimate change, Tewatia regained his 30-ball half-century and his teammates rose to their feet in the dugout.
“After that [one six] I thought it’s not time to get going. And then hitting five at the end, it felt amazing. The coach sent me to hit a rotary leg six, but unfortunately I didn’t hit him so I had to hit the other bowlers, “he said.
The equation went from 51 of 18 to 21 of 12 and surprisingly only two of the last six balls, which RR chose to crown the most successful chase in tournament history.
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