STUNNING CHASE
A blistering, unbeaten 50 from embattled West Indies left-hander Shimron Hetmyer enabled the Rajasthan Royals to pull off a stunning chase against Gujarat Titans and a three-wicket win in the Indian Premier League, recently.
Hetmyer slammed 2 fours and 5 sixes in 56 not out off 26 balls, and Sanju Samson cracked 60 off 32 balls, and the Royals successfully chased 178 to win with 4 balls remaining in their contest at the Narendra Modi Stadium in the city of Ahmedabad.
“I just really wanted to win against these guys because they beat us three times last year, so it was a bit of revenge really,” Hetmyer said.
The pair dominated a Titans attack that included West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph, whose three wicket-less overs were the most expensive and put on 59 for the fifth wicket to set up the Royals for their fourth win in five matches this season, after they slipped to 55 for 4.
West Indies’ Alzarri Joseph during the third Test against England. Associated Press / Ricardo Mazalan, file
Royals got off to a shaky start when they lost Yashdavi Jaiswal caught at slip off Hardik Pandya in the second over and Mohammed Shami bowled England T20 International captain Jos Buttler for a duck, in the third over.
The wickets of Devdutt Padikkal for 26 and Riyan Parag for 5 in the span of 13 balls further hobbled the Royals and they were wobbling on 55 for 4 in the 11 over.
Hetmyer came to the crease and put the Royals on course for victory with Samson, who struck World No.1 T20 bowler Rashid Khan of Afghanistan for 4 sixes, including three consecutive maximums in a single over. Hetmyer had the pleasure of swinging a delivery from Joseph over deep backward square leg for a six and then for a four over mid-wicket.
Samson brought up his half-century off 29 balls and then went after Noor Ahmad, hammering him for a six and a four, but it was the debutant and impact player who had the last laugh, and got the Royals batsman caught at long off next ball with 64 needed from the final 30 balls.
Hetmyer kept the runs flowing and reached his half-century from 25 balls before he came out on top when Ahmad was entrusted with final over with 7 needed and he took two off the first ball and then smacked the next delivery for six over deep mid-wicket.
“I was pretty happy to be honest to be facing a spinner for the final over,” Hetmyer said. ” I was just focused on getting a double off the first ball and then see what happens after that,” he added.
