Tewatia's legspin turns Kings XI's chances

Making way for legspinners was quite rare in previous editions of the IPL, but teams are intentionally opening up a spot for them this season. Every team this season has persisted with a wristspinner, and although they have been expensive, they have produced a high return on investment. Kings XI was the only team who stuck with just one slow-bowling option in Axar Patel, a fingerspinner, for many games. But against Kolkata Knight Riders, they brought in Rahul Tewatia.

Knight Riders, chasing 168, raced to 64 for 1 when Glenn Maxwell brought Tewatia on. He made an impact with his first ball: a legbreak that ripped away from Chris Lynn and was the only delivery that spun viciously through the night. Although not many of his other deliveries spun, the one that turned may have sowed enough doubt to keep the batsmen circumspect. When Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa chose to sweep - the attacking shots borne out of a soaring asking rate - the natural art of wristspin did them in. Tewatia extracted enough bounce, a result of extra revolutions imparted, and their skewed hits landed in the hands of deep midwicket.

Tewatia wasn't hesitant to flight deliveries up, even if it meant the batsmen could get underneath. With the backing of big boundaries, it gave the legspinner a chance. Against Robin Uthappa, Tewatia tossed up his googly on leg stump, inviting a big shot. Uthappa couldn't resist, and his flawed execution didn't help. Tewatia had cramped him for room and Uthappa's slog eventually found Axar at deep midwicket, who ran to his right to complete a stunning catch.

"Proud d way @lionsdenkxip spinners @akshar2026, Swapnil & Tewatia baked in dis win. Spin club is proud of u guys @Gmaxi_32 @virendersehwag"
Monty Panesar on Twitter

"Really proud of the boys for a grt victory. Our spinners spun ball better than few media people spin stories. Picture abhi baaki hai"
Virender Sehwag on Twitter