After coping criticism for his slow start, Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) Rahul Tewatia played a blinder to pull off a heist against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in the 9th match of IPL 2020 at Sharjah on Sunday (September 27).

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Tewatia smashed 53 off 31 balls as RR chased down a daunting target of 224 with three balls to spare. In the process, he also smoked left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in an over.

Speaking after the match, Tewatia said he always believed that he could achieve the feat despite struggling initially in his innings.

"The dugout knows I can hit the ball long. I knew I had to believe in myself. It was a matter of one six," the 27-year-old said at the post-match presentation ceremony after Royals' 4-wicket win.

"Five (sixes) in the over, that is amazing. I tried to hit the leg-spinner, but unfortunately I couldn't. So I had to hit other bowlers," he added.

Rahul Tewatia struggled to get going early in his innings after he was sent at No. 4 ahead of the likes of Robin Uthappa and Riyan Parag.

Asked about it, Tewatia said, "Now I am better. The worst 20 balls I have ever played. After then I began to hit so I kept going."

Apart from Tewatia, Sanju Samson (85 off 42 balls) and skipper Steve Smith (50 off 27 balls) starred in Rajasthan Royals’ chase.

RR will face KKR in their next game in Dubai on Wednesday (September 30).