Donovan Ferreira has revealed the on-field conversation that fuelled Rajasthan Royals' thrilling six-wicket win over Punjab Kings at the PCA New International Stadium in Chandigarh on 29 April. Chasing 223, the Royals looked under pressure with the required rate climbing to 10-12 runs per over, until Ferreira and Shubham Dubey stitched an unbeaten 77-run partnership off just 32 balls to dismantle the PBKS bowling and seal victory in 19.2 overs.

The message that changed momentum

Speaking after the match, Ferreira revealed his simple yet effective counsel to Dubey: watch the ball and back your instinct. "Especially with Shubham, I just said to him, you know, he's really talented and really skilful, and it just amazes me how simply he just keeps it out there. So I just kept on telling him to just watch the ball and just back his skills because his boundary-hitting ability is amazing," Ferreira explained in a video released by the franchise.

No time to overthink

Ferreira admitted there was virtually no preparation time before walking in to bat. "To be fair, there was no discussion, because I just padded up and then came down, and Sango said I'm in next, and then I think like two minutes later, Yashasvi Jaiswal lost his wicket, so there wasn't much time to reflect or to think about it," he said. Instead, he relied on his game sense: "I just know for myself… I just need to give myself a bit of time, and the game dictates what needs to happen."

How RR stayed in control

Ferreira stressed that despite the steep target, the chase never spiralled out of control. "No, to be honest, I didn't [feel under pressure], because we kept the rate at around 10 to 12… it wasn't like the rate was climbing and climbing and didn't ever get higher than 12, so for us, we didn't really feel like we were behind the ball." He credited the team's intent and selective aggression: "I just said… we need to keep our intent up; make sure if it's a good ball, we could run a two as well. Don't undervalue that, because sometimes in that situation, you lose your shape when you just try and hit sixes the whole time."

Early momentum from Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal

RR had built a solid platform earlier in the chase. 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi blazed a quick-fire 43 off 16 balls, while Jaiswal contributed a brisk 51. A brief slowdown triggered by Yuzvendra Chahal's bowling kept the pressure on, but the Royals remained within striking distance of the target.

Collective mindset clinches it

Ferreira credited the team-first approach for the successful chase. "As I say, I think it was really controlled; it never felt like we were under pressure… that was because the guys were putting the team first. And I think it's important that we just keep the momentum going and, you know, when it's your day, make sure you put up your hand and win the game for the team," he concluded. The victory handed PBKS their first defeat of the season and kept RR's campaign on track.