Ashwin just bowled 1.3 overs conceding 16 runs against RR.
Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was quite active on the social media on Sunday (September 27), enjoying enthralling encounter between King XI Punjab (KXIP) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Sharjah.
The batting master was constantly sharing his views on the IPL 2020 clash between KXIP and RR on his official Twitter handle. He also hailed the KXIP’s Nicholas Pooran’s outstanding fielding against RR.
Praising Pooran’s efforts on Sunday, Tendulkar said: “This is the best save I have seen in my life. Simply incredible!! Thumbs up”
Tendulkar further went to laud RR’s scintillating batting display as the brilliant half-centuries from skipper Steve Smith, Sanju Samson and Rahul Twatia helped the Royals to chase down a daunting 224 with 3 ball to spare against the KXIP to continue their winning streak in the IPL 2020.
However, the Master Blaster was surprised with KXIP’s failure of not using Murugan Ashwin enough against the RR despite the young spinner did well in the last game against the RCB, taking 3 scalps.
At one stage, RR was very much behind in the game when Tewatia was struggling against the spinners and James Neesham, leaving the franchise needing 84 in 30 balls against the KXIP, but then the match took a massive turn in the 17th over when the latter hit Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in an over to turn the match in favor of Royals as they were needing 21 off 12 deliveries.
After the RR successfully chased down the target, Tendulkar has expressed his surprise at the KXIP fast-bowlers were not bowling yorkers and under-utilizing leg-spinner Ashwin.
Tendulkar tweeted: “Terrific batting by @rajasthanroyals' batsmen Smith, Sanju & Tewatia to chase this mega total. They kept their cool and accelerated beautifully. Surprised how the @lionsdenkxi fast bowlers didn't bowl many yorkers and also failed to use M Ashwin enough. #RRvKXIP #IPL2020.”
In the 9th match of the IPL 2020, Ashwin bowled only one over, conceding 12 runs before returning to bowl in the 20th over when the RR needed only a couple of runs. Well, the spinner got to bowl only 3 deliveries, dismissing Riyan Parag, but Tom Curran and Jofra Archer ensured a 4-wicket win for RR.