Rahul Tewatia played one of the most extraordinary innings in the history of the IPL to take Rajasthan Royals to a scarcely believable win over Kings XI Punjab in Sharjah.
Chasing a mammoth 224 to win, Rajasthan opted to send the little-heralded 27-year old up the order after a fast start by Steve Smith and Sanju Samson.
The first two-thirds of his innings were cringeworthy. He could barely connect with the ball at all. When he did, his shots barely made it to the edge of the 30-yard circle.
It left Rajasthan needing 84 from the last 30 balls, with Tewatia on strike against Sheldon Cottrell, one of the costliest bowlers in the competition.
All seemed lost. And then Tewatia took the Jamaican left-arm quick for five sixes in one over, and the Royals ended up reaching their target with three balls spare.
It was the record for the highest run chase in the history of the IPL, sealed when Tom Curran clipped Murugan Ashwin over extra cover for four.
“Those were the worst 20 balls I have ever played,” Tewatia said.
He had made eight off his first 19 deliveries, yet ended with 53 from 31 balls.
“I was not hitting the ball well initially, but I had to believe in myself,” he said.
“It was just a matter of one six. After that, I thought it was now the time to go, and I got five in the over.”
The chase was set up by Samson’s 85 from 42 balls, and Smith’s 50 from 27 balls.
It had seemed far-fetched at halfway when Punjab finished on 223 for two from their 20 overs.
Mayank Agarwal continued his stunning form as he made his maiden IPL hundred, with KL Rahul hitting 69 as they shared in a stand worth 183 for the first wicket.
SPECS
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The Gandhi Murder
- 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
- 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
- 7 - million dollars, the film's budget
Draw
Quarter-finals
Real Madrid (ESP) or Manchester City (ENG) v Juventus (ITA) or Lyon (FRA)
RB Leipzig (GER) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)
Barcelona (ESP) or Napoli (ITA) v Bayern Munich (GER) or Chelsea (ENG)
Atalanta (ITA) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Ties to be played August 12-15 in Lisbon
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
