'Why Are They Protecting Shimron Hetmyer?': Simon Doull Questions RR's Tactics vsKKR
Rajasthan Royals were in all sorts of trouble against the Kolkata Knight Riders spinners on a sticky track and were reduced to 82/5 in the 11th over.
Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull has questioned the Rajasthan Royals’ tactics in their second match of IPL 2025 against the Kolkata Knight Riders, asking why the team management decided to bring in Shimron Hetmyer only at No.8 when their premier batters had already departed.
Hetmyer was sent out to bat at No. 8 as Rajasthan brought on Shubham Dubey as the impact substitute in Guwahati on Wednesday.
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Doull said that Rajasthan should have explored all of their batting resources before deciding to use the impact substitute option to save the first innings.
“Why are they protecting Shimron Hetmyer? What was the money they retained him for? They retained him for 11 crore and he batted at No.8. He bats at No.3 or No.4 at different times for Guyana," Doull said while speaking on Cricbuzz.
Did #RR misfire by sending #Hasaranga at No. 8? 🤔Watch Sahi ya Galat from #RRvKKR ft. @Sdoull#IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/bRVRczjZzn
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 27, 2025
“You are using your resources before you need to by sending in your impact sub. It’s really poor planning from RR. In the first couple of games, there have been some different strategies and decisions that I have not agreed with at all and to bring him (Dubey) in ahead of Hetmyer, you are using that resource of yours," Doull said.
Using their impact substitute option in the first innings, Rajasthan were forced to head into the second innings with a depleted bowling unit.
Quinton de Kock struck a beautiful 97 not out on a tacky Barsapara track, anchoring Kolkata’s chase to perfection as they secured a dominant eight-wicket victory over Rajasthan.
Opting to bowl, Kolkata’s disciplined bowling attack, led by their spin duo Varun Chakravarthy (2/17) and Moeen Ali (2/23), restricted Rajasthan to a below-par 151/9.
In response, De Kock remained 97 not out from 61 deliveries, his innings laced with eight boundaries and six sixes, as Kolkata chased down the target in the 18th over.
Despite the challenging nature of the pitch, De Kock displayed controlled aggression, timing the ball well while ensuring Kolkata’s chase remained on track.
The chase was never in trouble, with the required run rate hovering around a run-a-ball.
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