Former India captain, Sunil Gavaskar has hailed Gujarat Titans all-rounder Rahul Tewatia as the ‘Ice Man’, after Tewatia is constantly finishing games for Gujarat Titans this season.
Tewatia who made his IPL debut in 2014 has been a revelation as a finisher in the ongoing season of the tournament.
He Shows No Signs of Nervousness: Sunil Gavaskar
Rahul Tewatia became a household name after he smashed Sheldon Cottrell for 5 sixes in an over in IPL 2020. He took his side Rajasthan Royals home against Kings XI Punjab from nearly an impossible situation. Later in the season, he and Riyan Parag took RR home against Sunrisers Hyderabad who had the likes of Rashid Khan in their ranks. Those two knocks gave Tewatia the confidence that he belongs on the big stage.
Tewatia has not looked back since then, as he has constantly improved as a finisher. When he went for over 9 crores in the Mega Auctions earlier this season, a lot of eyebrows were raised but he has till now justified his value game after game.
“Reason why I call him the ice-man is because he just stands there at the crease and shows no signs of shrugs or whatever. He’s composed, he’s anticipating the deliveries and knows which shots to play. In his mind, he’s ready that if the ball is there, he’s going to play his favourite shot. And when he middles, it’s always a six. That’s what makes him the ice-man because he’s not ruffled at all with the situation”, Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
“That assault on Sheldon Cottrell in Sharjah gave him the belief to do the impossible and the confidence that he belongs here. We saw the impossible he did with the bat the other day as well. There’s no twitching or touching the pads which shows a batter’s nervousness when he bats in the death overs. He just waits for the ball to be delivered and plays his shots. He’s got all the shots in the book, but most importantly his temperament to stay cool in a crisis is brilliant”, Gavaskar further added.
Rahul Tewatia has not really bowled much this season but that’s because he has not been needed with the ball much as GT has a strong lineup of bowlers. But with the bat, Tewatia has time and again delivered for the new franchise.