In the third match of Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, Rahul Tewatia gave the testimony of his brilliant hitting skills as he smashed 5 sixes off Sheldon Cotrell in the 18th over of the chase when RR was requiring 51 runs off last three overs. Eventually, the Royals won the match by four wickets and three balls to spare.
While chasing a daunting target of 224 runs, with the pitch offering nothing to the bowlers and the dimensions of the ground being smaller in size, Nicholas Pooran did his side a big favor in the clash when he saved a brilliant six on the boundary line with his outstanding effort. Rajasthan Royals came out all guns blazing after KXIP smashed as many as 223 for 2 in their allotted 20 overs.
WATCH – Riyan Parag Saved A Flying Six On The Boundary Line
In the first innings, Mayank Agarwal had amassed 106 in just 50 balls as he made a huge partnership of 183 runs with fellow opener KL Rahul (69 off 54 balls) to guide KXIP to the huge total. But the big total did not stop the RR from going for the from the very first ball against KXIP. Despite losing Jos Buttler cheaply, Steve Smith and Sanju Samson took the attack to the opposition.
At the end of the powerplay, the Royals reached a score of 69 for the loss of 1 wicket. Even after the end of the fielding restrictions, both the batsmen kept playing the big shots as Royals crossed the 100-run by the end of 9th over. However, after the dismissal of Smith in the 9th over, all eyes were on Sanju Samson who played a brilliant knock of 85 off 42 balls, but eventually was dismissed by Mohammed Shami in the 17th over when the Royals were requiring 63 runs, and Tetwatia was playing 17 off 21 balls.
Cottrell came out to ball the 18th over and Tewatia smashed him for six on each and every deliver batting penultimate one. While all the sixes went towards the leg-side, only one six went over long-off and the equation came down to RR needing 21 off the last two overs.
WATCH – Rahul Tewatia Smashed 5 Sixes To Sheldon Cottrell
In the penultimate over of Shami, RR scored 19 runs with the help of three sixes (two Archer and one from Tewatia). However, Tewatia got out on the final ball, but the Royal chased down the total with three balls to spare while needing two runs in the final over.
Hits
Mayank Agarwal
Mayank Agarwal as emerged as another dependable batsman for KXIP this season after almost getting his team over the line against Delhi Capiatsl with his score 89, he scored his maiden IPL century against RR. However, both his brilliant knock went in vain as Punjab lost both the games.
Rahul Tewatia
Sanju Samson was dismissed by Mohammed Shami in the 17th over when Rahul Tetwatia was playing 17 off 21 balls. Then, Sheldon Cottrell came out to ball the 18th over and Tewatia smashed him for six on each and every deliver batting penultimate one. While all the sixes went towards the leg-side. He amassed 53 runs off just 31 balls
Sanju Samson
After scoring a brilliant fifty against CSK, Sanju Samson was expected to play a crucial knock for his team, and he delivered. With the help fo 7 sixes and four 4s, Samson smashed 85 off just 42 balls and made sure that his team stayed in teh game even after the dismissal of Steve Smith.
Flops
Sheldon Contrell
Sheldon Cottrell came out to ball the 18th over and Tewatia smashed him for six on each and every deliver batting penultimate one. While all the sixes went towards the leg-side, only one six went over long-off and the equation came down to RR needing 21 off the last two overs. before that over. Contrell had conceded 22 runs in two overs with the priced wicket of Jos Buttler.
