Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) young wicketkeeping star Anuj Rawat played a crucial role against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Sunday, May 14. Playing in a must-win game in the Indian Premier League (IPL), under-pressure Rawat came out all guns blazing and scored 29 off just 11 balls in the first innings of the game.
The youngster picked up a good catch and then also accosted a brilliant run-out in the second innings of the game when the Rajasthan Royals (RR) crumbled. Rajasthan registered just 59 runs in their innings - the third-lowest total in the history of the Indian Premier League.
Rawat spoke after the game and said that he did not expect the Jaipur-based franchise to crumble in such a manner. Asked about his impact with the bat, Rawat had said that he was confident of making an impact since he had been practising for the same role in the RCB nets.
"This is what I have practised before the season and I was confident of making some impact and that's what I did," Rawat said at the post-match press conference.
The batter was earlier criticised by the RCB coach for not improving as they had expected him to but was able to prove him wrong on the day, helping RCB a good total in the slow pitch of Jaipur. "Rajasthan have been playing really well and did not expect Rajasthan to do this (capitulate). This is a game of cricket and anything can happen," Rawat said in the press conference.
RCB will end the day with a major huge Net Run Rate boost after a 112-run win and moved up the order in the IPL points table.
"Before this game out NRR was on the negative side and now it is positive and that is very good for us. We will go one game at a time from here," Rawat concluded.
RCB climbed up in the IPL points table after their win and are now placed in the 6th position.
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