Home
Rajasthan Royals (RR) suffered another defeat in a high-scoring game in the Indian Premier League (IPL). RR Despite skipper Riyan Parag's 45-ball 95, RR fell short of the target by two runs against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens. After RR's ninth loss of the season, RR batting coach Vikram Rathour was asked whether the franchise's think tank made a mistake by not retaining Jos Buttler before the mega auction. Rathour said that Shimron Hetmyer was supposed to be RR's finisher but unfortunately he hasn't had a good season.
"I won't say it was a mistake. Obviously, you could have retained only six. The management is pretty happy with the six that we have retained. Hetty [Hetmyer] is supposed to be that finisher, and unfortunately, he has had that kind of a season," Rathour said in the post-match presentation.
"He is a superb player. He has done that in the past, he's done well in international cricket, league cricket or franchise cricket. This year, he hasn't been able to finish the games. That was his role basically. People are allowed to have those kinds of seasons. I have worked enough in cricket to know that really good players also go through lean phases. Unfortunately, Hetty had a poor season this year, which will happen once in a while. If he had a good season - and we are sure that he is going to improve - I don't think we have any issue with the finishers then."
Against KKR, Hetmyer came to bat after Wanindu Hasaranga at no.7. The Caribbean southpaw scored 29 runs from 23 balls including a four and a six. He was dismissed in the 16th over by Harshit Rana with a bouncer.
Buttler left RR before playoffs
In the previous season, Buttler had scored 359 runs from 11 games at an average of 39.88, including two centuries. He left the RR camp towards the end of group stage last season to prepare for the T20 World Cup 2024. The former England captain was exceptional in the 2022 edition, scoring 863 runs from 17 games including four centuries. He is RR's highest run-scorer among overseas players.
Buttler and Hetmyer's numbers in IPL 2025
Meanwhile, Buttler has been in fine form for Gujarat Titans (GT). They roped him in for Rs 15.5 crore. Batting at no.3, he has scored 470 runs from 10 innings in the ongoing season at an average of 78.33, including five half-centuries. His strike rate is 169.06.
On the other hand, Hetmyer has been struggling for form. He has scored 187 runs from 10 innings at an average of 20.78, including one fifty. His strike rate is 150.80. Many have questioned RR team management for batting him down the order despite retaining him for Rs 11 crore.
ADVERTISEMENT
