After an impressive 2021 season aged over 168, the flamboyant and punchy Shimron Hetmyer is now part of the Rajasthan Royals. In his fourth IPL season, the Guyanese slugger could really make a difference in a finishing role and hopes to do the same when he joins the royals for the upcoming edition of the IPL.
“I’m really excited to get going for the Royals,” shared the West Indies southpaw. “I’ve heard some really nice things about the franchise from my good friend Evin Lewis and I can’t wait to get started and just enjoy myself as part of the roster,” added the 25-year-old.
Playing for his third franchise in the tournament, Hetmyer was candid about his IPL journey so far: “My first season in IPL at RCB was a challenge for a young player and being the only West Indian on the squad it was a difficult start in franchise cricket. IPL in general was a wonderful learning experience that taught me to look at myself and my game differently and allowed me to learn and develop the right processes.”
The 2016 U-19 World Cup captain also shared his first experiences from back then: “I think it was 2018, I had an opportunity to go to a camp with the Royals in Mumbai and that was one of my first encounters with one IPL team. It felt like a great atmosphere back then, met some really thoughtful cricketers and again happy to see some of them still in the squad this season. It was fantastic to be with an IPL setup like the Royals and how they approached and worked towards things. I felt like it was an enlightening experience and something I’ve carried with me ever since,” he added.
Hetmyer, who was bought by Rajasthan Royals for 8.5 cr during that tenure, downplayed any meaning of the price tag, adding that it’s important that he play any role he can think of. “There’s no price pressure on me, it’s a challenge to help the royals when I’m out there. Price doesn’t matter to me, it’s the runs I score that add to the team’s cause.”
He also spoke about his potential role in the team, adding: “I’m ready for any role the team asks of me. As a player in the squad, you have to do well. And in the end, like I’ve always believed, I just have to give myself a chance to be out there and the achievement will come no matter the situation of the game.”
As the Royals assemble a new squad and work towards a new era under Kumar Sangakkara’s guidance and guidance, the Guyanese left-hander said: “It’s very exciting to play under someone like Kumar Sangakkara. As a legend of the game, I’ve heard some amazing things about him and can’t wait to get his thoughts on certain aspects of my game that can help me get better not only in the white ball format but in the longer version as well the game with the red ball. Yes, I am very happy about the team we have this year. I believe the squad has great potential to bring the trophy home this year.”
