The RR batter scored only 239 runs in 14 matches of the IPL 2025.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) batter Shimron Hetmyer, has played two successive unbeaten match-winning knocks for the Seattle Orcas, in the ongoing Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025. The batter’s astonishing 97 not out off 40 balls against the MI New York and a fierce 26-ball-64* while facing the Los Angeles Knight Riders, may increase the chances of being retained by his franchise ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 player auction.
MPS
175/6
PAL
174/8
MDS
146/9
HS
150/5
Hindukush Strikers beat Maiwand Champions by 5 wickets
NAM
260/10
ASM
325/7
ALW
81/3
ASA
109/10
BMP
–
CCYMT
–
BSP
–
MAR
–
MAR
–
BMP
–
CCYMT
–
BSP
–
MAR
–
BSP
–
OCC-W
–
SKK-W
133/5
Match Abandoned due to rain
SKK-W
20/1
PCS-W
19/2
SKK Women beat PCS Women by 9 wickets
EL-W
129/0
OCC-W
–
Match abandoned due to rain
SKK-W
–
EL-W
15/1
TYP-W
116/7
SCO-W
120/3
Scorchers Women beat Typhoons Women by 7 wickets
SCO-W
124/9
DGW-W
53/1
DGW-W
–
TYP-W
–
ENGU19
–
INDU19
–
GUC
–
THN
–
YSS
–
LEX
–
MR
162/7
MB
86/10
Malaysia Reds won by 76 runs
GG
–
MR
–
LAKR
202/4
SOR
206/5
Seattle Orcas beat Los Angeles Knight Riders by 5 wickets
TSKS
–
MINY
–
ENGA-W
130/4
NZA-W
129/10
YUC
130/8
IRSCC
141/7
Irises Cricket Club beat Yuksom Capitals by 11 runs
PYXI
157/5
BES
95/3
Black Eagles beat Pakyong XI by 4 runs (VJD method)
CAO
–
BES
–
ALSC
–
IRSCC
–
PTS
33/3
BMB
–
WTS
–
AMW
–
IYH
–
PTS
–
BMB
–
WTS
–
IDTT
182/5
NRK
113/10
IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans beat Nellai Royal Kings by 69 runs
DID
150/6
TGC
40/4
The Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) put up 202/4 on the scoreboard after being invited to bat first by the Seattle Orcas. An unbeaten 65-run knock off 39 deliveries from veteran all-rounder Andre Russell powered LAKR to the 200-plus total. Finisher Saif Badar and Rovman Powell also contributed with their 41 and 43* runs off 21 balls, respectively.
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However, a 31-ball-43 from opener Shayan Jahangir set up the chase for the Orcas. Eventually, a blistering 73 runs off 38 balls from United States of America (USA) batter Aaron Jones, compiled with the excellent finishing knock from Hetmyer, saw them defeat the LAKR by five wickets. The strike rate of 162.97 is also the highest in a year for Hetmyer in the 20-over matches across the world. Previously, he also scored 30 runs off 16 balls against the San Francisco Unicorns and a nine-ball-21 cameo against the MI New York.
After struggling to register their first victory in the initial five fixtures, the Orcas have now won two back-to-back matches in the MLC 2025. They will next take on the San Francisco Unicorns on July 2.
Hetmyer endured a tough outing in the IPL 2025. The West Indies batter was retained for a huge amount of INR 11 crore ahead of the league. However, his performance in the latest season has raised questions about his retention for the next edition.
Notably, the southpaw failed to chase reachable targets thrice in the tournament. The RR batter was at the crease in consecutive matches when they needed only nine runs off the last over to win the match against the Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants, respectively. But Hetmyer failed to chase the total in both matches. He also could not finish the match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, in the following fixture, when RR required 45 runs off the last four overs.
After these poor turn of events, the big-hitter’s chances of retaining his place in the RR squad do not seem feasible. However, if the player could continue with this blazing form, the Royals management may use the RTM card to re-buy him at a lower price in the IPL 2026 auction.
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Mahipar Stars won by 4 wickets