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Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Nehal Wadhera’s impressive ability to perform under pressure was evident in his unbeaten 33 off 19 balls and securing a thrilling victory for Punjab Kings against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a 14-overs-a-side affair at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on April 18. In a chase of 96 on a pitch that favoured the bowlers, Wadhera came to the crease, with PBKS' score reading 52/3, which soon became 53/4.

The pressure piling on PBKS was huge when Wadhera played four dot balls in the ninth over off leg-spinner Suyash Sharma. With the equation reading 43 runs needed off 33 balls, it looked like Wadhera would risk a big hit and fall, something which RCB fans were also expecting.

But Wadhera’s four and six off Suyash soothed PBKS’s nerves and quieted the crowd. More than the number of runs, the high quality of Wadhera’s shots stood out - a reverse hit going through the gap between point and short third was followed by a majestic lofted shot clearing long-on.