Shimron Hetmyer of Rajasthan Royals (RR) admitted that their win over the Gujarat Titans on Sunday, April 16, made up for their three losses against the same team during IPL 2022. The West Indies batsman was at the crease during the Royals’ successful run-chase, reaching 56 off 26 balls and smashing a six to seal the victory against the defending champions. GT had beaten RR three times during last year’s competition – twice in the league stage and once in the decisive final.
Hetmyer expressed his delight after the match on Sunday, commenting that he was happy to witness a spinner bowl the last over. He stated:
“I was actually pretty happy, to be honest, to be facing a spinner in the final over. But I think he had bowled pretty well tonight. So I was just thinking if I can just get a double off the first ball and then just see what happens after that. Just really wanted to win against these guys because they beat us three times last year. So it was a kind of revenge really.”
The inaugural IPL champions had a difficult beginning, as Mohammed Shami got rid of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler for low scores. At one point, the Royals were 55-4, but Hetmyer and their captain Sanju Samson revived the innings with a 59-run partnership.
“I just practice it really”: Hetmyer
Hetmyer stated that he always prepares mentally to have a finish that’s as good as the one against GT. The left-handed batter stated:
“I just practise it really. It always helps to practice with the mindset that you’re a couple of wickets down and you have to get say, 100 runs probably in eight overs. You just try to program your mind that way, and so far, it’s working.”
The Royals are now at the top of the standings after their three-wicket victory over GT at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.