Rajasthan Royals have played down concerns over Shimron Hetmyer’s form ahead of their IPL 2026 clash against Mumbai Indians, with the team management backing the veteran finisher to do well. Despite a quiet start to the season, the Royals still have faith in their middle order core.
Hetmyer enters IPL 2026 in strong contact after an impressive T20 World Cup campaign with West Indies, where he scored 248 runs at a strike rate of 186.47. However, they are yet to replicate this form in the IPL, even though Rajasthan’s top order, which includes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel, has consistently delivered.
“We don’t have any concerns about the form of Hetmyer or Riyan. We can’t worry too much about such things. We are in a good space,” Rajasthan Royals performance coach Siddhartha Lahiri told the pre-match press conference.
“We have been working with them in certain areas and I am happy that Dhruv is doing really well. Riyan is also batting well but he has been a bit unlucky. It has only been two matches,” he added.
Rajasthan’s middle order, including Hetmyer and skipper Riyan Parag, have not made much of an impact so far, largely thanks to the strong starts provided by the top three. But with tougher challenges ahead, the Royals will expect their finishers to step up and add depth to their batting line-up.
HOW IS THE RR VS MI MIDDLE LINE SHAPING UP
The clash against Mumbai Indians presents a significant test for Rajasthan’s batting unit. The MI bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult, along with spin options like Mitchell Santner, offers a comprehensive challenge.
While Rajasthan’s top order has been in excellent form, the middle order could be crucial in navigating the latter stages of the innings, especially against a disciplined bowling attack.
For Hetmyer, the upcoming match provides an opportunity to rediscover his rhythm. With his recent international form and proven finishing ability, Royals will be hoping that it is only a matter of time before he makes a big contribution in IPL 2026.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
April 7, 2026 12:09 PM IST
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