DC edged CSK in a pulsating low-scoring game in Dubai. Despite the target heading a little out of hand in the death overs for Delhi, Shimron Hetmyer came to their rescue and chipped in with a sensational 18-ball 28. He bailed them out of a crucial situation to seal their position in Qualifier 1.
Shimron Hetmyer had scored two boundaries in the 18th over by Dwayne Bravo. In the process, he was also dropped at long-on by Krishnappa Gowtham, who also let it slide through his fingers into the boundary for a four. He hit a massive six off Hazlewood in the next over to bring the equation down to run-a-ball.
After the match, the southpaw said that the Caribbean Premier League served as a great practice for him coming into the IPL. He had anticipated Bravo going wide with the field set, and did not look to hit across the line on the leg side.
“For me it was easy. I had enough practice in the CPL. I knew he [Dwayne Bravo] would go wide with the field he had, and I just looked to get across and go straight down the ground against him and not midwicket or anything. I got two of them, and I am happy with that,”
Hetmyer said.
Talking about the drop that earned him a life, he mentioned that he was praying to drop the catch. Hetmyer understands that his role as a finisher is to stay till the end and see the game through, but he has not been very successful this season. However, this crucial contribution could play a role in keeping his place in the XI.
Hetmyer has not had the best of time this season, scoring just 159 runs in 11 innings. He did not get to bat for longer durations with his top order doing the bulk of the scoring but has been striking at over 180, which is a positive sign. Although fans wanted Sam Billings in the XI instead of him, Hetmyer is likely to feature in the playoffs ahead of the English cricketer.
