Rajasthan Royals (RR) all-rounder Rahul Tewatia has revealed his thought process and mindset during his game-winning knock against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP). Tewatia was instrumental in RR’s win against KXIP after he came to bat at number four sport. Tewatia struck 53 runs off 31 balls, including seven sixes to his credit.
The southpaw was struggling at one stage as he had scored just 13 runs off first 19 balls. A horrific initial display by Rahul Tewatia which he made up for in the latter stage against KXIP, when he struck five sixes in an over bowled by Sheldon Cottrell. The decision of the coaching staff to send him up the order was criticized but turned out to be a great move.
Sanju Samson motivated Rahul Tewatia:
Tewatia was under immense pressure when he failed to deliver initially, even strike rotation was turning hard for him. He revealed, he was just waiting for a big over and it came in Sheldon Cottrell‘s. He hit five maximums in the over to completely turn the game around.
“When I was not able to hit, I was under pressure, but Sanju told me that it’s a matter of one hit and I was waiting for that one hit,” said Tewatia.
“I was looking for one big hit, one big over and that came (when Cottrell came in to bowl the 18th over). I had the confidence that once I start hitting, I would be able to pull it off. I was looking for a game-changing over to close in on the target,” he added.
I was told to go and take on the bowlers: Rahul Tewatia
Rahul Tewatia has revealed, he was told to go all out against the bowlers since the beginning and this match was an opportunity for him to prove himself with the bat.
“I was told to go and take on the bowlers, my role was clear from the beginning, from last one month. It was a chance to prove myself,” Tewatia stated.
Rajasthan Royals are unbeaten yet and have been stupendous with their batting, winning both the matches scoring and chasing 200 plus runs on the board successfully. The Steve Smith-led team will face Kolkata Knight Riders at the Dubai International stadium. It will be RR’s first match away from the Sharjah.