Nehal Wadhera is proving to be another talented player that has been scouted by the Mumbai Indians. After impressive cameos earlier in the season, the left-hander has struck back-to-back fifties – a rescue act against CSK followed by a belligerently attacking knock against RCB.
The 22-year-old from Ludhiana, Punjab, Nehal Wadhera cracked 52* runs off 34 balls against RCB on Tuesday night in Mumbai’s successful chase of 200 runs which they scaled down in only 16.3 overs. Nehal Wadhera and Suryakumar Yadav forged a stunning partnership of 140 (66) and their dominating assault saw MI over the line with nonchalance ease.
Nehal Wadhera’s knock was filled with attractive strokeplay; the southpaw smashed 4 fours and 3 sixes in his terrific knock. One of those sixes hit the Tiago EV car that the sponsors had put up inside the stadium for show.
In the 11th over of MI’s chase, Nehal Wadhera went down on his knee and slog-swept leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga for a meaty blow, resulting in a flat six over deep mid-wicket. The ball hit the door of the red-and-grey car that had been put at that place by the sponsors. This hit from the left-hander left a big dent on the car door.
Watch: Nehal Wadhera’s six leaves a dent on the sponsor’s car
Media Credits: Jio CInema pic.twitter.com/3kUmiVXYOl
— rajendra tikyani (@Rspt1503) May 9, 2023
After completing the chase with a sixer, the 22-year-old said: “It was fun batting up the order [at number 4], earlier I was batting down. I got an opportunity to bat up and I got back-to-back fifties. I am happy with my fifty but I am more happy that my team won and I hope we continue to do so. I have the confidence within me that if I keep on batting till the end, I can finish the game for the team. Surya bhai is a top-class player and I also try to copy some of his shots but I cannot. While he was batting I was talking to him and he was saying ‘keep playing, keep playing’ and he was giving me confidence. He told me, ‘If both of us bat till the 15th-16th over, we can finish the game even early.’ And that’s what we did. The previous game which I played against CSK, I played a scoop. Earlier I didn’t play, after seeing Surya bhai bat, I also learned from him and I am very happy.”
MI have made a big jump in the IPL 2023 points table and are now 3rd in the points table with 12 points in 11 matches.
