IPL 2021: I am paid to finish matches for my side – Shimron Hetmyer

Delhi Capitals talisman batter Shimron Hetmyer admitted he is paid to finish matches for his team. DC was in a spot of bother after the dismissal of well-settled Shikhar Dhawan for 39 runs against Chennai Super Kings at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday.

DC needed another 38 runs off the last five overs at that stage and they were under a bit of pressure. In fact, DC’s think tank decided to promote Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of Hetmyer in the run-chase but the right-hander was dismissed by Shardul Thakur after he scored only two runs.

However, the left-hander from the Caribbean was able to score a fine cameo of 28 runs from 18 balls with the help of two fours and a six. In fact, the hard-hitting batter also had a rub of the green on his side as his catch was fluffed by Krishnappa Gowtham at long-on. The drop proved costly for CSK as Hetmyer was able to get his team over the line.

Hetmyer made good use of his knowledge of playing alongside Dwayne Bravo as he moved towards the off-side to get his runs against the experienced medium pacer.

Shimron Hetmyer was delighted after helping his team win by three wickets and he played a crucial role in the fag end of the innings.

Shimron Hetmyer said after the match, “Very important for me to finish games. I tell the guys that is what I am paid for and I try to finish as many games as possible. [On the dropped catch] I thought I was out, and the guy missed it and I was thankful. It was just about getting bat on ball. The 19th over was the one where I thought I’d try and get a six and bring it down as much as possible. I had enough practice against Bravo in the CPL. I knew he would go wide with the field he had and I just looked to go straight down the ground against him. It paid off twice”.

Hetmyer would have gained a lot of confidence after playing such a crucial knock for the Delhi Capitals. In fact, DC’s top and middle-order have done the bulk of the scoring for the franchise in the ongoing season and Hetmyer was able to grab his chance.

Delhi will play their last league stage match of the season against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.