On the eve of Rajasthan Royals’ match against Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, West Indies player Shimron Hetmyer expressed confidence and excitement for the new season. Winning the first game is crucial for momentum in the tournament, according to Hetmyer, who highlighted the team’s positive spirits.
Looking forward to the season with Rajasthan Royals, Hetmyer shared his enthusiasm, mentioning his preparation by practicing for the past few months. He expressed eagerness to start the tournament, feeling well-equipped after working on his game during the off-season.
One of the season’s talking points is Hetmyer potentially moving up the batting order to No. 3. He acknowledged the different challenges and mindset required for this shift, emphasizing the importance of maintaining form and shape while batting higher up the order.
Reflecting on lessons from the previous season, especially in close matches where Rajasthan Royals narrowly missed victories, Hetmyer stressed the importance of finishing games. He highlighted the need to close out games early and shared his personal approach to handling pressure situations.
Discussing the team’s young talent like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Hetmyer mentioned the importance of letting emerging players like him continue their natural game. He noted the support and guidance Sooryavanshi has been receiving from the team, emphasizing the value of youth in the squad.
