Sharjah and memorable knocks -- a match made in heaven, it seems. On Sunday, it was Rahul Tewatia's turn to stun the world with a dreamy innings at the iconic venue. The 27-year-old hit a 31-ball 53 as Rajasthan Royals broke the record for the highest successful chase in the history of Indian Premier League (IPL) against Kings XI Punjab.
Chasing a mammoth target of 224 after Mayank Agarwal's 2nd fastest hundred by an Indian in the IPL and KL Rahul's 54-ball 69, Rajasthan Royals got off to a shaky start, losing their big-hitting opener Jos Buttler who was playing his first match of IPL 2020.
However, that did not stop Rajasthan Royals from pushing hard as Steve Smith and his destroyer-in-chief Sanju Samson gave Kings XI Punjab a dose of their own medicine. With Smith taking on the onus of sending them out of the Sharjah Stadium which has become a nightmare for the bowlers, RR got to 80 at the end of the powerplay.
After the stunning fielding effort from Nicholas Pooran, Kings XI Punjab looked hungry to get back into the game and the breakthrough came through James Neesham as the New Zealand all-rounder got the big wicket of Steve Smith for 50, snapping an 81-run stand.
How did Rahul Tewatia do the impossible for Rajasthan Royals in Sharjah?
Helping raise quite a few eyebrows, the Rajasthan Royals sent all-rounder Rahul Tewaita ahead of the experienced Robin Uthappa. The ploy, as most cricket fans in the globe believed, seemed to backfire as Tewatia was struggling to put bat to ball in his first 19 balls. He was swinging and missing as the reactions in the RR camp told the story.
It couldn't have gotten any worse as Sanju Samson denied Tewatia the strike in the 16th over, by saying no to a single opportunity. The young batsman, who seems to be in the form of his life, took Maxwell to the cleaners in the 16th over, collecting 19 runs. But Mohammed Shami got the big breakthrough when he got Samson out in the first ball of the 17th over.
At one point in the chase, Tewaita's score read 9 from 18 balls. However, in one of the most memorable comeback knocks ever played in the history of the sport, Tewaita turned itt around and won it for Rajasthan Royals.
The left-hander, who was under immense pressure after the dots showcased nevers of steel, and hit Sheldon Cottrell for 30 runs, 6 sixes in the 18th over to bring down the asking rate and the hopes of Kings XI Punjab.
Tewatia morphed into MSD: Reactions
KL Rahul was stunned. KXIP head coach Anil Kumble couldn't believe what he was seeing from the dugout. Millions of cricket fans would have had a similar reaction. Michael Slater, on-air, promised he would never write off a team or an individual from now. Here's how the cricket fraternity reacted to Tewatia's heroics.
England batsman Sam Billings paid a rich tribute: "Tewatia morphed into MSD"
Tewatia missed Yuvraj Singh's record of 6 sixes by a hit. Yuvraj reacted by saying: "Mr @rahultewatia02 na bhai na. thanks for missing one ball ! What a game congratulations to rr for a spectacular win !!! #RRvKXIP. @mayankcricket great knock @IamSanjuSamson brilliant !"
What an incredible game of cricket.....Rahul Tewatia, you've shown all of us that miracles do happen. Five sixes in an over against an International fast-bowler. Especially after the struggle. A Fairy tale," Aakash Chopra said in a social media post.
"Terrific batting by @rajasthanroyals' batsmen Smith, Sanju & Tewatia to chase this mega total. They kept their cool and accelerated beautifully," Sachin Tendulkar said.
Delhi Capitals off-spinner R Ashwin said: "Such is life!! It turns in a span of 2 minutes. #Tewatia
No comments:
Post a Comment
Welcome To My Blog.