Finishing a game with the bat is one of the hardest tasks in T20 cricket. Especially when the equation is such that only hitting sixes can win the game, batters usually fail in their objective. However, in IPL history, we have witnessed two cricketers who have scored sixes in the final two deliveries of the game to chase the target for their team. In such a situation, the pressure is immense for the batter to time both the deliveries. Yet, a few of them have managed to achieve it. On that note, in this article, we take a look at two players who have won a game for their team by scoring 12 runs in last 2 balls in IPL.
1) MS Dhoni (Rising Pune Supergiants) – IPL 2016
Opposition: Punjab Kings || Bowler: Axar Patel
MS Dhoni is arguably the best finisher that IPL has seen. Although the returns have dropped in recent years, at his peak, there were very few bowlers who would perform well in the death against MS Dhoni.
When he was with RPS in IPL 2016, the team needed 12 runs in the final two balls. Axar Patel was the bowler and MSD nonchalantly launched him for two sixes. Dhoni has finished games from many unlikely situations and his performace against Punjab was the best of them all.
2) Rahul Tewatia (Gujarat Titans) – IPL 2022
Opposition: Punjab Kings || Bowler: Odean Smith
Rahul Tewatia is one of the players who have won a game for their team by scoring 12 runs in last 2 balls in IPL. The Haryana all-rounder is the latest entrant to this list. In the IPL 2022 game against Punjab Kings, GT needed 12 runs of the last two deliveries to win the game. Rahul had just walked to the crease and it almost seemed improbable for him to hit two sixes.
However, the southpaw made it simple as he struck both the deliveries to the same region. Hence, he got a victory for his side, thereby leaving them yet to be beaten in the competition. Tewatia is known to do unthinkable things on the field and his latest exhibition was another proof of the same.
