Rahul Tewatia’s struggles in the first 20 balls of his match-winning knock almost cost Rajasthan Royals the game at the Sharjah Stadium on Sunday.

But the belief that his teammates and he had in himself eventually guided him to drive his team towards an incredible win, as they registered a record run-chase in IPL history versus Kings XI Punjab.

“That was the worst first 20 balls that I have ever played. I was hitting the ball very well at nets, so I had the belief in myself and kept going. I was not hitting the ball well initially but I saw at the dugout that everybody was curious about my knock because they know I can hit the ball long.

“So I thought I had to believe in myself which I did. It was a matter of one six and after that, I got going,” Tewatia said after the match.

Speaking of the 18th over of the Royals’ innings when he smashed Sheldon Cottrell for five maximums that snatched the momentum away from Kings XI, Tewatia added: “Five sixes in an over was amazing.

“Our coach (Andrew McDonald) had sent me to hit sixes off the leg-spinners, but unfortunately, I couldn’t hit them.

“Ultimately, I could hit off the other bowlers.”

The Man-of-the-Match award, though, went to Sanju Samson, as he was the one, along with captain Steve Smith, who laid the foundation for the Royals’ record run chase.

“I have been hitting well over the last one year. I have been in the right frame of mind and I don’t see any change in my game,” Samson said.