Rahul Tewatia displayed another dramatic batting performance to snatch a sensational five-wicket victory for Rajasthan Royals in the Dream11 Indian Premier League match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
New emerging star of the thirteenth edition of IPL, Tewatia did it again for Rajasthan Royals after his match-winning contribution against Kings XI Punjab when he had smoked five successive sixes off Sheldon Cottrell.
The young southpaw together with Riyan Parag shattered the hopes of Sunrisers Hyderabad with a fearless batting show as they added an unbeaten 85 runs for the sixth wicket under tremendous pressure.
Sunrisers Hyderabad, the champions in the 2016 edition, looked like coasting towards an easy win when Sanju Samson (26: 25 balls, 3×4) was dismissed by Rashid Khan at the score of 78 in 12 overs. With 81 runs needed in eight overs with top order batsmen cooling their heels in the dugout, it appeared as if Rajasthan Royals will crash to their fifth defeat in a row.
However, 27-year-old Tewatia joined Parag and they slowly and steadily built up a solid partnership. They mixed caution with aggression to inch towards the target.
The duo changed their gears in the last three overs bowled by Sandeep Sharma, Rashid Khan and Khaleel Ahmed.
Both Tewatia and teenager Parag dealt with boundaries in the 18th and 19th overs to frustrate the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
In the last over, the Rajasthan Royals, champions of the inaugural edition in 2008, needed just eight runs which they achieved on the penultimate ball of the game when Parag hammered a six off Khaleel. As the ball sailed over in the extra-cover stands, Parag danced on the pitch to celebrate a spectacular win.
Eighteen-year-old Parag remained unbeaten on 42 off just 26 balls with the help of 2 sixes and same number of fours. Tewatia smashed an undefeated 45 off 28 deliveries, studded with four boundaries and a couple of big sixes.
Earlier choosing to bat first, Sunrisers Hyderabad posted 158 for 4, courtesy Manish Pandey (54) and captain David Warner (48), on a slow wicket.
Kane Williamson (22 not out) and Jonny Bairstow (16) and Priyam Garg (15) were the other notable contributors. Jofra Archer, Kartik Tyagi and Jaydev Unadkat bowled brilliantly to restrict the SRH innings.
With their third win in seven matches, Rajasthan Royals have moved up to the sixth spot with six points to their credit.
Sunrisers Hyderabad also had six points from seven ties but they are placed a rung above thanks to their better net run rate.
Brief scores
Sunrisers Hyderabad 158 for 4 in 20 overs (Manish Pandey 54, David Warner 48, Kane Williamson 22 not out, Jonny Bairstow 16, Priyam Garg 15; Jofra Archer 1-25, Kartik Tyagi 1-29, Jaydev Unadkat 1-31) lost to Rajasthan Royals 163 for 5 in 19.5 overs (Rahul Tewatia 45 not out, Riyan Parag 42 not out, Sanju Samson 26, Robin Uthappa 18, Jos Butler 16; Rashid Khan 2-25, Khaleel Ahmed 2-37) by five wickets.
Man-of-the-match: Rahul Tewatia (Rajasthan Royals).
Courtesy: orangecitysports.com
