IPL 2021: Rahul Tewatia grabs a stunner to deny KL Rahul a century

KL Rahul was going berserk and looked all set to score a century in the match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) on 12th April 2021. The Punjab Kings’ skipper decimated the Rajasthan bowling attack and looked in blistering form with the willow in hand. Rahul’s innings was studded with 7 fours and 5 massive sixes, and he took the bowlers to the cleaners.

And, it required a special effort on the field to end the special innings from KL Rahul. When Rahul was batting on 91, he swatted Chetan Sakariya towards the deep mid-wicket fence, and the ball went into orbit. But then, Rahul Tewatia’s presence of mind ended Rahul’s stay out in the middle.

Tewatia caught the ball, but was not in complete control and stepped outside the rope. However, the Rajasthan Royals’ fielder got rid of the ball when he crossed the rope. Tewatia then dived forward to complete a spectacular catch. And, Rahul departed for 91, just 9 runs short of a well-deserved century.

You can see Tewatia’s brilliant catch in the video below.

Tewatia, take a bow son!#RRvPBKS pic.twitter.com/kPWHUzrxn4

— @TimeTravellerJofraArcher (@JofraArcher8) April 12, 2021

Punjab Kings’ batsmen decimate the Rajasthan bowlers

In a total beatdown, the Punjab Kings’ batsmen absolutely decimated the Rajasthan bowlers. Apart from Rahul, who scored 91, Deepak Hooda went totally berserk. In a 28-ball knock, Hooda scored 64 and scored his runs at a strike rate of 228.57. Apart from Hooda, batting legend Chris Gayle scored a blistering 40 off just 28 deliveries as the Punjab side posted a massive total of 221/6 on the board.

Such was the performance by the Punjab willow wielders that not even a single bowler who rolled his arm over for the Rajasthan side went at an economy rate of less than 7 runs an over. Also, as many as 6 Rajasthan bowlers gave away runs at an economy rate of more than 10 runs an over. Rajasthan Royals tried 8 different bowling options, but they were not able to stop the Punjab Kings’ juggernaut.

Chetan Sakariya was the pick of the bowlers for the Rajasthan side. In the 4 overs that he bowled, the left-arm pacer conceded 31 runs and scalped 3 wickets. Apart from Sakariya, Chris Morris also scalped 2 wickets and gave away 41 runs in his quota of 4 overs.