'Used to watch Yuvi paaji, Mahi bhai' - Rahul Tewatia names his 'finishing' idols [Exclusive]

Rahul Tewatia has revealed the two players who inspired him as a finisher. Tewatia also highlighted the role Hardik Pandya played in helping him evolve as a finisher at Gujarat Titans. The all-rounder further revealed that Rashid Khan has been the most challenging opponent he has faced and also spoke about the idea of having a dedicated award for finishers.

Tewatia expressed his views on not being included in the Indian setup. Additionally, the all-rounder reflected on his fond memories of Shane Warne and a special conversation he had with the legendary spinner.

Excerpts from the interview

Did Hardik Pandya help you evolve as a finisher?

My role as a finisher had been going on for a long time. When Hardik came [as captain at Gujarat Titans], he gave me the responsibility of batting high. I got the role of a finisher more freely and I was able to play that role with a lot of freedom.

Who’s the toughest bowler you have ever finished a match against?

During IPL 2020, it was an RR vs SRH match against Rashid Khan. I was thinking of how to hit him because I had never faced him before. It was very tough to pick him. Also, another bowler is a death-over specialist, Jasprit Bumrah. It’s tough to hit him.

Do you think finishers deserve their own award in IPL, like “Best Finisher of the Season”?

Yes, not just the best finisher of the season award, but also there should be best finisher of the match as well. Because, all the awards are for top-order batters only and nothing for the lower middle-order batters. I feel there should be an award for finishers as well.

Many say that if Tewatia can do it in IPL, why not in India colors? What is your take on that?

It's in the hands of the selectors, how to look at them, how to look at the performance. And I think there are many players in the finishing role who are performing very well. And it was a bit of a setback for me that I didn't get a lot of bowling in the last three years in the IPL. 

Because our team had Noor Ahmed, Rashid Khan, and Ahmedabad's pitch totally favours batting. If Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmed are playing in one team, it is very difficult for the third spinner to get bowling. 

So, I think it was a setback for me that I did nOt get bowling in the last three years. But it is the same thing; it is in the hands of the selectors, how to look at them. I feel that if I get to bowl 2-3 overs and the number I bat, it would be better.

Who is your inspiration as a finisher?

When I was young, I used to play leg-spin and bat together. I used to watch Yuvi paaji [Yuvraj Singh]. He looked like a stylish batsman. When Mahi bhai [MS Dhoni] came, I started watching him a lot. I started understanding the game when I got a chance to talk to him. I used to watch Yuvraj Singh and Mahi bhai a lot.

Did you get a chance to meet Shane Warne? 

Yes, I met Shane Warne in the Rajasthan Royals in 2020. I used to watch his bowling videos on YouTube. I used to follow him a lot. I used to watch all his bowling; how he [gripped] the ball. I met him in 2019 when I was playing for Delhi. I met him for the first time. I didn't know he was in the Rajasthan Royals next year. He was with our team. I got a chance to work with him. He told me a lot of things. It was a different experience.