Riyan Parag’s trust in Tushar Deshpande’s death overs skill pays off

AHMEDABAD: It is one thing to be trusted by the captain and another to repay that faith under pressure. On Saturday night at India’s grandest cricket theatre, Mumbai pacer Tushar Deshpande answered his captain’s clarion call, holding his nerve with a near-perfect final over to guide Rajasthan Royals to a six-run win over Gujarat Titans.

Titans were restricted to 204/8 after Royals, having opted to bat first, posted 210/6.




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When Sandeep Sharma leaked 15 runs in the 18th over, the equation was reduced to 15 off 12 balls, a situation that usually favours the chasing side. But Royals’ pace duo of Jofra Archer and Deshpande produced a clinical exhibition of death bowling to deny the Titans’ big hitters.

Captain Riyan Parag’s bold tactical call proved decisive. He handed the crucial penultimate over to Archer, who responded like a seasoned campaigner. After being hit for a six, the English pacer pinned Kagiso Rabada with sharp short balls into the body and mixed them with fuller deliveries, conceding just four runs.

With 11 to defend, Deshpande, stuck to fuller lengths and yorkers and denied Rashid Khan and Rabada any room.

South African great Dale Steyn praised Deshpande’s composure and execution. “The final over bowled by Deshpande was exceptional. It is very difficult for a bowler to stay calm in such a high-pressure situation because a lot of things go through your mind. To execute your plans perfectly without feeling the pressure is a rare skill. Tushar bowled four inch-perfect yorkers, then changed his line and baited Rashid Khan into going for the big shot, which resulted in a catch.”
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