Flashback: Tewatia’s magic – The Highest successful chase in IPL
Chasing a big and massive target is never easy for any side irrespective of the format. A combination of scoreboard pressure and the fall of wickets make lives difficult for the chasing teams to reach their respective targets. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), there have been many big targets achieved by the sides over the years but the inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals (RR) hold the record of the highest-ever successful chase in the history of the competition.
The Royals achieved a special milestone when they gunned down the mammoth target of 224 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Sharjah in the 2020 edition. The game is also well and truly remembered for Rahul Tewatia’s heroics as he hammered five sixes in an over off the bowling of pacer Sheldon Cottrell.
The unbelievable chase
RR skipper Steven Smith won the toss and elected to field first. PBKS captain KL Rahul struck 69 off 54 with seven fours and a maximum while Mayank Agarwal smashed a century. The right-handed batter scored an unbeaten 106 off just 50 with ten fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of 212.
Nicholas Pooran remained not out on 25 off just eight with one four and three maximums as PBKS posted a huge total of 223/2 on the board. Speedster Jofra Archer was the most expensive bowler for the Royals for his spell of 0/46 (4). Tom Curran and Shreyas Gopal conceded 44 runs each.
Chasing 224, RR lost their most destructive batter Jos Buttler for just four runs. Smith led his side from the front as he amassed 50 off 27. Sanju Samson, who batted at no. three looked in blistering form as he hammered 85 off just 42 with four fours and seven maximums.
But in the end, it was Tewatia who stole the show as he slammed 53 off just 31 with seven sixes. That Cottrell over changed the game on its head as RR completed the historic run-chase in 19.3 overs with the loss of six wickets. They ended up with 226 on the board with Samson winning the Player of the Match award. Mumbai Indians (MI) is in the second spot for achieving the target of 219 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Delhi in 2021.
