Watch Rahul Tewatia slam back-to-back sixes in the last two balls to register a thrilling win for Gujarat Titans against Punjab Kings in IPL 2022 on Friday.
Follow Us
Gujarat Titans maintained their unbeaten run in the IPL 2022 as they clinched a thrilling last-ball win over Punjab Kings at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Friday. By virtue of the victory, the Ahmedabad-franchise climbed to second spot in the IPL 2022 points table, behind Kolkata Knight Riders due to their superior net run rate.
Chasing a challenging target of 190 runs, Shubman Gill looked in good touch from the onset of the match. But he lost his opening partner Matthew Wade (6) early.
However, he combined well with debutant B Sai Sudarsan (36), to forge a partnership of 101 runs for the second-wicket to keep GT in cruise control in the chase.
Later, incoming batter and captain Hardik Pandya, scored a quick fire 27 off 18 deliveries which included five boundaries after PBKS regained momentum in the match.
David Miller, meanwhile, remained unbeaten on six runs off four deliveries. But Rahul Tewatia (13 not out off three deliveries) changed the match as he smashed two consecutive sixes off West Indies’ Odean Smith, while needing 12 runs off two deliveries, to help his side sail over the line.
READ MORE: Rashid Khan: How reading the batters turned the Afghan into an asset
Tewatia is known for playing late cameos. He had previously guided Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals over the line with his late suge. Now, the Haryana batter is making it count for Gujarat Titans.
The middle-order batter, explaining his mindset, said that his effort in the last two deliveries were premeditated and it came off well as it hit the middle of his bat.
“It feels good when the game is won. There wasn’t a lot to think in the final over, we just had to hit sixes and that’s what me and David (Miller) were talking about. I knew (on the last-ball six) that it had gone off the middle of the bat, so it would clear the fence. I did premeditate, felt he (Odean) bowl wide outside off to me, premeditated and it executed well for me,” Tewatia said at the post-match.
“The dressing room is really chilled. Ashu Bhai (Nehra), Gary Kirsten and the support staff have done a really good job. We’re just told to execute the plans well and backed well.”
