First Season In IPL At RCB "Was A Challenging One": Shimron Hetmyer

After playing a high-impact Indian Premier League (IPL) season in 2021 for Delhi Capitals, Shimron Hetmyer is now a part of the Rajasthan Royals. The West Indian batter, expressing excitement about playing for his third IPL franchise in the tournament said, "I'm really excited to get going for the Royals. I've heard some really nice things about the franchise from my good friend Evin Lewis, and I can't wait to get going and just enjoy myself as part of the squad."

"My first season in the IPL at RCB was a challenging one, for a young player, and being the only West Indian in the squad was a tough one to start off in franchise cricket. IPL, in general, has been a wonderful learning experience that has taught me to look at myself and my game differently and has enabled me to learn and develop the right processes," added the 25-year-old.

Recalling his initial IPL days and U-19 World Cup win as a captain in 2016, he said, "I think it was 2018, I had a chance to go to a camp with the Royals in Mumbai and that was one of my first interactions with an IPL team. It felt like a great atmosphere back then, met some really thoughtful cricketing people and was again glad to see some of them still with the squad this season as well."

"It was fantastic being around an IPL set-up such as the Royals, and how they would approach and work towards things. I felt it was an insightful experience and something that I've carried with myself ever since", he added.

Hetmyer, who was bought by Rajasthan Royals for INR 8.5 Crore, said that he feels no pressure from the price tag, and added that it's important for him to play whatever role the team wants.

"There's no pressure of the price tag on me, it's a challenge to help the Royals when I'm out