IPL 2017: Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) to treat game vs Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) as ‘final’, says Rahul Tewatia

With Glenn Maxwell’s Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) all set to play their final game of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 league stage against Steven Smith’s Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) in Match 55 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune on Sunday, KXIP spinner Rahul Tewatia said on the eve of the game that his side would be treating the game as a final itself. They would be going for an all-out attack to win the tie and qualify for the playoffs, if the situation demands so. KXIP have won their previous couple of games against Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to keep their chances for the playoffs alive. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) vs Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), IPL 2017, Match 55 at Pune

“In a way, the upcoming game is going to be final for us. We will play our best cricket and hope for the best result. We will approach this game like the way we have been doing so in our last few games. We cannot remain dependent on how the opposition plays, we will have to play our best game,” said Tewatia to PTI. Speaking on his performance against KKR on Tuesday, he said, “I was waiting for the opportunity. Our dressing room atmosphere is such that players give confidence to each other, especially Virender Sehwag [when one is waiting on the bench].”

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“When I played my first game, I had a chat with Sehwag which gave me a lot of confidence. There was no pressure as such on me. I just had to express myself with my performance, which I did. A leg-spinner is a game-changer for the team. If he provides his team with early breakthrough, then it changes the momentum in the favour of his team,” he added. IPL 2017: Glenn Maxwell praises Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) bowlers after win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

“According to me, all leg-spinners look to provide breakthrough to the team which raises the chance of changing the game in your favour. Leg-spinners mostly are wicket-taking bowlers. I also try to do the same and provide breakthrough to my team,” he continued.

On being asked if he follows any particular leg-spinner, he said, “I follow all leg-spinners trying to incorporate good things into my bowling which I learn from them. Like, I play for Haryana, where Amit Mishra and Yuzvendra Chahal are also part of the team, I draw inspiration from them. But I don’t copy any particular style.” IPL 2017: Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) remain in contention for playoffs; beat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 10 Match 49

“Mohit Sharma, who is our key bowler in Kings XI Punjab, also helps me a lot. Mohit also captains the Haryana team in domestic cricket. Here in IPL also, we play for the same team. He knows my strengths and keeps telling me what ball to bowl in a particular situation, which helps,” he concluded.