We are treating our last league game as final says KXIP's Rahul Tewatia

Kings XI Punjab, with the victory over the table-toppers Mumbai Indians, has provided themselves with the last opportunity to enter the playoffs at the cost of the current top-four. The side from Punjab will play the final match against the Rising Pune Supergiant as a do-or-die match and it would be the final opportunity for both the teams to enter the playoffs.

The doors to exit were almost open for the Kings XI Punjab as they needed to win back to back games against the top two sides to help them have a chance to go through to the playoffs. A win against the Supergiant would put the team from Punjab among the top 4 teams and they will qualify for the playoffs.

When asked what will be his team’s approach for Sunday’s do-or-die game, the 23-year-old Rahul Tewatia said who was the star of his team in their win over KKR said, “In a way the upcoming game is going to be a final for us; we will play our best cricket and hope for the best result,” Tewatia told PTI over phone. “We will approach this game like the way we have been doing so in our last few matches. We cannot remain dependent on how the opposition plays; we will have to play our best game,” he said.

The leg-spinner made his debut this season in the match against the Kolkata Knight Riders where they ended up as victors by 14 runs. His inclusion in the team has given the bite to the Kings bowling that was missing.

Tweatia’s opportunity

He was eagerly awaiting an opportunity to showcase himself in the IPL and when it arrived he cashed in on it. “I was waiting for the opportunity. Our dressing room atmosphere is such that players give confidence to each other, especially Virender Sehwag (when one is waiting on the bench). When I played my first game, I had a chat with Sehwag which gave me a lot of confidence. There was no pressure as such on me. I just had to express myself with my performance, which I did,” the wrist spinner said.

He went on to say that leg-spinners have changed the game on several occasions, being the wicket takers for their franchises. Alongside that, he also believes that the leggies stop the run-flow in the middle of the match helping the team reduce the opposition sizably.

“According to me, all legspinners look to provide breakthrough for the team, which raises the chances of changing the game in your favour. Legspinners mostly are wicket-taking bowlers. I also try to do the same and provide breakthrough for my team,” he said.

He draws inspiration from his Haryana teammate Yuzvendra Chahal who has represented India in limited-overs cricket. “I follow all legspinners trying to incorporate good things into my bowling which I learn from them. Like, I play for Haryana, where Yuzvendra Chahal is part of the team, I draw inspiration from him. But I don’t copy any particular style,” Tewatia added.