Shimron Hetmyer Reflects on the Joys and Trials of IPL Six-Hitting Spectacle

After his stellar performance against Punjab Kings in the IPL 2024, Rajasthan Royals’ Shimron Hetmyer shared insights on the mixed emotions of his powerful six-hitting prowess.

Hetmyer clinched the Player of the Match title for his exceptional display, steering his team to a thrilling three-wicket triumph over PBKS at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. The left-handed batsman delivered an unbeaten 27 runs from just 10 balls, boasting a staggering strike rate of 270, including three sixes and a boundary.

Expressing his thoughts post-match, Hetmyer acknowledged the dual nature of his talent. “It’s just practice. I aim to bat sensibly in the nets first and then unleash my power hitting. It’s a blessing and a curse. Sometimes it clicks, sometimes it doesn’t. I’m glad I could contribute to the team’s win today,” he remarked during the presentation ceremony.

Discussing his mindset during the crucial moments, Hetmyer revealed, “Pressure does creep in initially, but I try to stay focused. Even in the last over, when I missed the first two balls, Boult reassured me, ‘Don’t worry, we’ve got this.’ His confidence fueled me.”

Reflecting on his match-winning boundary, he explained, “I was aiming for singles and doubles, but when I saw the opportunity, I went for it. I was feeding off Boult’s energy. Even if we didn’t win, I wanted to make the most of every moment.”

In the game, PBKS batted first, posting 147/8, with contributions from Ashutosh Sharma (31 off 16 balls) and Jitesh Sharma (29 off 24 balls). RR’s bowlers Keshav Maharaj (2/34) and Avesh Khan (2/23) stood out.

During RR’s chase, Yashasvi Jaiswal (39 off 28 balls) and Tanush Kotian (24 off 31 balls) laid a solid foundation. Despite a few hiccups, Hetmyer’s quickfire cameo ensured victory, with Kagiso Rabada (2/18) and Sam Curran (2/25) leading PBKS’ bowling attack.