After taking the team to an important victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Rajasthan Royals (RR) all-rounder Rahul Tewatia said he and his able partner Riyan Parag didn't take too much pressure of the situation on themselves and sensibly tried to bat deep into the innings.
Chasing the target of 159 in Match 26 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in Dubai this Sunday (October 11), RR were struggling at 78/5. It is then Tewatia (45*) and Parag (42*) came to their rescue and batted fantastically through a stand of 85 runs to take the side to a much-needed win, only their third in seven outings in the competition so far.
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"We were trying to take the match as deep as possible. Our plan was to attack in the last three overs and take the match as close as possible," Tewatia, who was earlier also the hero of RR's win over Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), said in the post-match press conference, as quoted ANI.
"Our top-order is very strong but they are not clicking from the last two-three games but we believe in them as they are top-class players. When they get out early, middle-order batsmen have to take that responsibility and execute plans for the side," he added.
Tewatia also stressed on the importance of comeback man Ben Stokes to RR's chances. The English all-rounder was finally available after a prolonged absence.
Playing his first game of cricket since August, Stokes was eased into the competition by the management, as he bowled only one over and then was sent to open with an idea that he would get some time in the middle, which, however, he couldn't quite make great use of, being dismissed for just 5 runs.
"Stokes' arrival boosts the morale of the side. His intensity and presence on the ground matters a lot and adds confidence to the team. Stokes opening the innings was decided by the team management," said Tewatia, apart from whom and Parag, only Sanju Samson (26) crossed the 20-run mark for RR.
The game was set-up for RR in the first half by very fine spells from pacers Jofra Archer (1/25), Jaydev Unadkat (1/31) and leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal (0/31).
Ending their four-match losing streak with this result and now placed sixth in the points table, RR next face Delhi Capitals (DC) on Wednesday (October 13).
