Rahul Tewatia is no more just the batsman who played that Tewatia knock two seasons ago versus Punjab Kings. He has improved his offside game, has been more effective this season than last year and has already won couple of last over finishes for Gujarat Titans.
One of those finishes came against Punjab earlier in the season when he walloped Odean Smith for a six on the last ball to steal another run chase. On Tuesday evening that the DY Patil Stadium, the left-hander was up against Punjab Kings again.
After being tormented by Rahul Tewatia twice in three seasons, surely Punjab Kings must have planned well for the southpaw. And they did – getting rid of Tewatia for 11 runs and before he could tee of in the death overs.
Exploiting Rahul Tewatia’s weaker off-side game – compared to his leg-side strength – Kagiso Rabada managed to dismiss the southpaw with a tactic well planned: a length delivery into the pitch angled across well outside Tewatia’s off stump. The batter looked for his favourite zone, going down on one knee and trying to hoick it on the leg side but only managed a top edge that Sandeep Sharma caught.
The ball had flown toward the short third man position where Sandeep Sharma, who was a point, ran in quickly and took the catch but also had to be wary of wicket-keeper Jitesh Sharma who was also running across for the catch.
PBKS fielding coach Jonty Rhodes really enjoyed the dismissal, happy to see Sandeep complete the catch despite the wicket-keeper distracting him in his eye line. Jonty Rhodes was seen jumping happily in the dugout, pointing to someone on the ground. “Jumping Jonty,” the commentator exulted.
You can watch the video here:
— Eden Watson (@EdenWatson17) May 3, 2022
