Last Update on: September 28th, 2020 at 12:01 am
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The cricketing world, on Sunday, perhaps watched the greatest turnaround in a player’s fortune thanks to Rahul Tewatia’s stunning match-winning knock for Rajasthan Royals against Kings XI Punjab.
Chasing 224, Royals promoted Rahul Tewatia at number four. The score was 100 for 2 at the end of nine overs when Rahul Tewatia joined Sanju Samson in the middle. And while Samson kept playing the big shots, Rahul Tewatia was struggling on the other end.
Royals’ move to promote him seemed to have backfired as the required run-rate mounted. Things become worse when a well-set Samson departed in the 18th over, leaving Royals needing an improbable 51 from the last three overs. At that stage, Rahul Tewatia was batting on 17 off 23 balls.
But what followed thereafter was total carnage. Rahul Tewatia redeemed himself by going bonkers in the 18th over from Sheldon Cottrell, hitting five sixes to script a stunning come-from-behind win for his side by four wickets. He hit one more six to reach his fifty off 30 balls before departing in the 19th over. Tom Curran then hit a four to take the Royals home with three balls remaining.
“Now, I’m better. That was the worst first 20 balls that I have ever played. I was hitting the ball very good in the nets, so I had belief in myself and kept going. I was not hitting the ball well initially, I saw in the dug-out, everybody was curious because they know that I can hit the ball long,” Rahul Tewatia said after the knock.
“I thought I had to believe in myself. It was a matter of one six, after that, I got going. Five in an over went amazing. Coach sent me to hit sixes off the leg-spinner, but unfortunately I didn’t hit him. Ultimately, I hit off the other bowlers,” he added.
And as soon as the left-handed batsman completed his turnaround, the cricketing fraternity did not waste any time in apologising to him for underestimating him while he was struggling at the start of his knock.
Here are some of the reactions:
The greatest TROLL innings in the history of cricket . Not one person including me thought this was possible. Not one person backed him barring his team mates!! Kudos to Tewatia, @rajasthanroyals and the Sport!! #RRvKXIP
— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) September 27, 2020
I am sorry Mr Tewatia.
I will never doubt you again 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️— Angoor Stark 🍇🇮🇳 (@ladywithflaws) September 27, 2020
WHAT A FUCKING OVER!!!!!!!!
I AM REALLY SORRY TEWATIA I UNDERESTIMATED YOU 😭❤ pic.twitter.com/4VNPuEbA0L
— Jass ♡’s Vee (@91SAYITALL) September 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/RatiDeviSarita/status/1310276712584769537
The Tewatia story will stay forever. What an insane turn around. I love human triumph. Sport is such a great teacher, we can write someone off but we can’t erase them! Wow. So happy with what we got to see. Incredible lesson for life.
— Danish Sait (@DanishSait) September 27, 2020
Another life lesson – no matter how bad things are looking, redemption could be just a couple of minutes away. So don’t despair! #Tewatia https://t.co/hFHdDgaDCT
— Vikram Chandra (@vikramchandra) September 27, 2020
One of the worst innings in IPL history.
A sublime knock, fit for the gods.
And we're talking about *the same innings!*
I've never seen a Jekyll-and-Hyde performance quite like what Tewatia did today. Instant redemption. So happy for him.
And people say IPL is boring! 🙂
— Amit Varma (@amitvarma) September 27, 2020
Tonight's game and Tewatia's innings is what makes the sport of Cricket and IPL special.
Nobody had thought Tewatia would finish this way after being very uncomfortable at start.
Hats off to Tewatia to prove everyone wrong 👏👏
Will be remembered forever 🔥🔥#IPL2020
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) September 27, 2020
I think we should add a term to the dictionary. "Doing a Tewatia"
Rising from acute adversity to supreme prominence in just 10 mins.
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) September 27, 2020
Hello @narendramodi sir, kindly declare today as national apology day as we can't be enough sorry to Sir Rahul Tewatia no matter what#KXIPvsRR
— Drunk BATMAN (@Caped_Humor) September 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/dev_maanuss/status/1310272796564414465