Why are you protecting Hetmyer: Doull on his batting spot in IPL
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is known for its unpredictable nature, and this season has been no exception. One of the biggest talking points has been the batting performance of Shimron Hetmyer, the West Indian opener who was retained by Rajasthan Royals (RR) at a whopping ₹11 crore. However, his struggles have left many questions unanswered, including those from former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull.
In a recent interview, Doull expressed his surprise at Hetmyer’s batting spot in the RR lineup, particularly his number eight position. “Why are you protecting Hetmyer? What was the money they retained him for? ₹11 crore,” Doull questioned. He further added that Hetmyer, who is known for his aggressive batting, is being pigeonholed into a finisher’s role, which is doing a disservice to his natural game.
Hetmyer has been struggling to find his footing in the IPL, with a meager 143 runs in 7 matches at a dismal average of 14.30. His struggles have been compounded by his inability to adapt to the different conditions in India, which has left many fans and experts scratching their heads.
Doull’s criticism is not without merit. Hetmyer has been known to bat at number three or four for Guyana in domestic cricket, which is a far cry from his current number eight spot. This lack of flexibility has meant that he has been unable to adapt to the different situations and pressures that come with batting in a high-pressure tournament like the IPL.
Moreover, Hetmyer’s struggles have been compounded by the lack of support from the RR batting lineup. The team has been struggling to find consistency, and Hetmyer’s inability to score big has only added to their woes.
The RR management has been under fire for retaining Hetmyer at such a high price, especially given his struggles in the past. While Hetmyer has shown glimpses of his brilliance in the past, his inability to adapt to the IPL conditions has left many wondering if he was worth the investment.
RR’s coach, Rahul Dravid, has been under fire for his team’s poor performance, and Doull’s criticism of his batting spot has added fuel to the fire. “You can get pigeonholed into a position where, ‘Oh, he’s a finisher,’ but that’s rubbish,” Doull stated. This criticism is not new, with many experts calling for a change in Hetmyer’s batting spot to allow him to express himself freely.
The RR management will have to take a hard look at their batting lineup and make some tough decisions if they want to get back on track. Hetmyer’s struggles are not the only reason for their poor performance, but his batting spot is certainly a major concern.
In conclusion, Doull’s criticism of Hetmyer’s batting spot is a timely reminder of the need for flexibility and adaptability in the IPL. Hetmyer’s struggles have left many questions unanswered, and the RR management will have to take a long, hard look at their batting lineup to get back on track.
