"Instead Of Twitter, Focus & Perform": Graeme Smith's Advice For Disappointed Rahul Tewatia

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith has advised cricketer Rahul Tewatia to focus on his performances and let them talk instead of taking to Twitter to share his disappointment on not being picked in the Indian team.

Tewatia was one of the reasons why Gujarat Titans (GT) won the IPL 2022 as he won them two matches single-handedly during the tournament including hitting two sixes off the last two balls when 12 runs were needed to win against Punjab Kings (PBKS).

However, despite his exploits, Rahul Tewatia failed to find a spot in the Indian squad for the recently concluded five-match T20I series at home against South Africa where BCCI rested some key players. It was expected that he might get a chance when India tours Ireland for two T20Is but then he was overlooked for that tour as well.

This led to Tewatia taking to Twitter and posting: “Expectations hurt”

Expectations hurts ??

— Rahul Tewatia (@rahultewatia02) June 15, 2022

Meanwhile, BCCI made Hardik Pandya the captain of the Indian team for Ireland T20Is and picked the likes of Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson, and Surya Kumar Yadav which gives a fresh look to India’s middle order.

Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar said that BCCI should have added Rahul Tewatia to the Indian squad for Ireland T20Is to give him the experience of traveling with the squad.

“Rahul Tewatia, the ice man. I mean he should have been…. sometimes if there is touch and go situation, maybe take an additional member. Instead of 15, take 16. Because it’s hard to leave somebody who has done consistently well. And he was superb, he won matches which look lost (in IPL 2022). He went there, smashed the ball. He was also moving across the crease very intelligently. Moreover, he was able to play across the off stump, not just on on side,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

“I would say to Rahul Tewatia: ‘Look you haven’t got picked, don’t let it put you down. You are just a little fringe, work hard and you will be there regularly,” he added.

It’s Very Difficult In India As You Guys Have So Much Talent: Graeme Smith

Meanwhile former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith gave some suggestions to the youngster, asking him to focus on his game and not on Twitter.

He said: “It’s very difficult in India as you guys have so much talent. And coach Rahul Dravid, and captain Rohit Sharma must have had picked their majority of guys anticipating the conditions in Australia. I would say instead of Twitter, focus, perform and next time your time comes make sure no one can leave you out.”

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