Shimron Hetmyer played the perfect role of a finisher in Delhi Capitals’ (DC) run chase against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on October 4. However, DC made a surprising change in their batting order promoting Ravichandran Ashwin up the order in place of Hetmyer. After the win, in a video posted by iplt20.com, the Caribbean batter said that he was initially “pissed” at the team management’s decision to send Ashwin ahead of him.
“At first, I was pissed, and then it was like for the team. Whatever the team requires, we will do that. At first, I thought you are going to take Moeen Ali out, to be honest, I know you are very well known for slog-sweeping. I was surprised to see you nudging it around,” Hetmyer told Ashwin in the video.
Hetmyer remained unbeaten for an 18-ball 28 helping his team finish off the run chase with two balls to spare. The southpaw’s match-winning cameo included two fours and one six. On the other hand, the ploy to promote Ashwin did not work as he could score only two runs before losing his wicket to Shardul Thakur.
“I am enjoying playing the role of being a finisher, to be honest. I am trying to be more open to different challenges. Playing for the West Indies is about batting in the top-four, here it is a different challenge for me and it has been really fun,” Hetmyer added.
The 24-year-old contributed with a similar cameo against DC’s first match in season’s second leg against Rajasthan Royals. In 11 matches he has played, the left-handed batter has 159 runs under his belt including a half-century at an average of 39.75 and a strike rate of 180.68.
The three-wicket win helped DC dethrone CSK from the top of the points table. This is Rishabh Pant-led side’s 10th win from 13 games and is likely to play the first qualifier of the season.
