IPL 2022: Shimron Hetmyer heads home for birth of his first child

Rajasthan Royals (RR) batter Shimron Hetmyer will return home to Guyana for the birth of his first child but has indicated that he will rejoin the squad soon. 

"My stuff is still left in the room," the southpaw said in a video posted by RR, further indicating that he will return to India to play the rest of the tournament.

Shimron Hetmyer has travelled back to Guyana early morning today for the imminent birth of his first child, but he’ll be back soon. 💗

Read more: https://t.co/cTUb3vFiNl#RoyalsFamily | @SHetmyer pic.twitter.com/u52aO9Dcct

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 8, 2022

RR are currently in third place, having picked up 14 points from 11 matches. They look well-placed to make the playoffs, which begin on May 24. Hetmyer has been a huge contributor to RR's success this season having hit 291 runs at 72 - remaining unbeaten seven out of his 11 innings so far.

Among those who have scored at least 75 runs in the last five overs this season, Hetmyer's strike-rate of 201.8 is the highest. Hetmyer left Mumbai after playing a cameo of 31* off 16 deliveries, which played a pivotal role in helping RR chase down 190 against Punjab Kings (PBKS).

In his absence, one of James Neesham, Daryl Mitchell, Karun Nair, Rassie van der Dussen or Nathan Coulter-Nile could take up the slot.

RR next play Delhi Capitals (DC) next on Wednesday (May 11) at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, followed by games against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 15 and 20 respectively.