Watch: Shimron Hetmyer scolds bat after he mistimed one to long-on where Krunal Pandya put down crucial catch

Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants played out a thriller in the 20th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday (April 11). The Royals stunningly defended 165 to win the game by three runs which went down the wire. Yuzvendra Chahal was awarded Player of the Match for his brilliant four-wicket haul.

But the Royals would’ve had no business to come this far and even win the match if not for the brutal assault with the bat from Shimron Hetmyer in the last three overs. Also, the fact that he could stay till the end was due to a crucial catch drop from Krunal Pandya in the 14th over of the innings.

Krishnappa Gowtham was already on fire having picked two wickets in a single over and in the third over of his spell, the off-spinner should’ve had Hetmyer’s number. The left-handed batter was forced to play a backfoot pull as the bowler cramped him for room. There was no timing on the shot and it was a simple catch for Krunal at long-on.

But for reasons only he knows, Krunal went for the with his hands reverse-cupped and ended up spilling it. Shimron Hetmyer was batting on 14 then and made the Super Giants pay batting till the end to smash a sensational unbeaten 59 off just 36 deliveries. He hit six sixes and one four during his stay in the middle to propel the Royals to 165 in their 20 overs.

Watch Shimron Hetmyer slamming bat after mistimed shot although Krunal Pandya dropped the catch

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— Peep (@Peep00470121) April 11, 2022

The score eventually proved to be enough for the Royals to defend as their bowlers picked wickets at regular intervals. Trent Boult started it off in the first over itself, sending back KL Rahul and Krishnappa Gowtham with brilliant inswinging deliveries. Chahal then got into the action in the middle overs to pick up 4/41 in his four overs. 

Despite Marcus Stoinis’ 38* off 17 giving them a massive scare in the end, Kuldeep Sen kept his cool to deliver to a brilliant last over restricting LSG to 162.