Rajasthan Royals (RR) all-rounder Rahul Tewatia has acknowledged that his performance was not up to the mark in the first phase of the IPL 2021 and he will look to produce a better show in the UAE-leg of the cash-rich event, due to be played from September 19 to October 15.
Before the IPL 14 was suspended due to multiple COVID-19 cases inside the bio-bubble, Tewatia featured in seven matches for RR, scoring 86 runs and claiming two wickets.
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“I know my performances weren’t up to the mark with regards to the high expectations I keep of myself both when it comes to batting and bowling,” he said in a release issued by RR.
“However, I will put in the effort to improve the output in the next seven matches that we’re scheduled to play in the UAE.”
RR will resume their IPL 2021 campaign with the clash against Punjab Kings on September 21 in Dubai.
During the 2021 edition of IPL 2020, Tewatia had smashed five sixes in one over against Punjab and he is looking forward to the clash this time around.
“I am really looking forward to it, however not just that match, but all the seven matches. I like to play all my matches with the same intensity and intent, but of course there are good memories facing PBKS, so it feels special,” he said. “It also gives me great belief and confidence that I can produce similar performances and do something extraordinary whatever the situation may be. My intent will always be to make the team win from anywhere.”
The talented all-rounder had slammed 255 runs and picked up 10 wickets from 14 games in last year’s IPL in UAE. Overall, he has 452 runs and 26 wickets to his name from 41 matches in the lucrative tournament so far.
“My aim is to contribute to the team’s performance and excel in the role of a lower-middle order batsman and a finisher when it comes to batting,” he said.
“When it comes to the team’s overall performance, we won three out of the seven matches, and there were a couple of matches which were really close, so I think all-in-all, we put in some great performances and there is lot more to come from the team in the UAE.”
Rahul Tewatia may have spent most part of the off-season at his home in Faridabad, but he has managed to address some of his concern areas.
“Bowling-wise, there were a few areas we had identified during the season where I could improve,” he said.
“Sometimes you don’t realize it when you’re constantly playing, but things like your wrist position can become inexact. So I had the chance to really work on it and bowl with a set rhythm.”
When it comes to batting, Tewatia said: “want to maintain my natural game and don’t really want to be making a lot of changes. I want to maintain my process and keep doing the things which have produced results for me and just back my strengths.”
(With PTI inputs)
