At halfway stage, Rajasthan Royals were 53/3 in 10 overs, needing further 125 runs in the next 10 overs. In the very next over, Riyan Parag was dismissed and RR was in big trouble.
Sanju Samson played beautifully, he waited for his moment and once he was in mood, it is tough for even best of bowlers to stop him from scoring big runs.
Both Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmeyer were the last batting pair for Rajasthan Royals. In the initial overs, Hetmyer took a couple of balls to get set while Samson who the aggressive way.
Samson smashed Rashid Khan for three sixes in an over, it was incredible hitting from RR captain. From thereon the run flow didn’t stop.
In the next five overs, both batters added 72 runs then, Samson lost his wicket to debutant Noor Ahmad who conceded 14 runs before getting him out.
The good thing for RR was that they had momentum in their hands, despite the wicket, the run kept flowing free. Next batter, Dhruv Jurel (18 off 10 balls) came set from the dugout and shared 47 runs partnership in mere 20 balls.
This partnership was game changing as Shimron Hetmyer made the best out of Alzarri Joseph’s over, taking 19 runs of it. 18th over was crucial as Rashid Khan bowled it, however, Hetmyer got 13 runs off it and that was the match for RR.
In the last 2 overs, only 23 runs were required and the best GT bowler of the day had bowl in his hand. It was absolutely treat to watch, the way it swung both ways in a single over.
First ball goes for 6, second for a wicket of Dhruv Jorel. R. Ashwin comes and slashes first ball for a boundary over point, next ball he times the ball for a six over mid wicket.
The game looked over but Ashwin lost his wicket on the 5th ball and 6 ball was dot. This was the only over Hetmyer didn’t play a ball since he came to bat.
7 was needed off the last over, it is tough to defend and especially against a batter who is striking over 200 with some monster sixes.
Noor Ahmad had the job in hand, first ball outside off stump, beautifully cut through but Hetmyer, he completes double. It was expected that second ball will be on stumps, and he powerfully heaved that for a six over deep mid wicket.
What an incredible match of T20 cricket. Hetmyer defined it as: “I don’t have any words. Kind of a revenge because they beat us three times last year. It helps when you practice with a mindset that we are few wickets down and chasing 100 with 8 overs to go. Was pretty happy to see the spinner bowl the last over.”