Rajasthan Royals (RR) suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 8 of the IPL 2023 season at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday (April 5).
Chasing 198 to win, the Royals were blown away by Nathan Ellis (4-30) before Shimron Hetmyer (36 off 18) and 'Impact Player' Dhruv Jurel (32* off 15) forged a 62-run stand to bring them back in the contest. However, PBKS all-rounder Sam Curran defended 15 runs in the last over to restrict RR to 192/7.
After the game, former India opener Virender Sehwag slammed the RR management for sending Hetmyer as low as No. 7 in the stiff run chase.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Sehwag said Hetmyer did not get enough balls to bat and should have come ahead of Devdutt Padikkal and Riyan Parag.
"He didn't get enough balls to bat. What's the point of this 200 strike rate? If he had batted at No.4 or 5, came ahead of Riyan Parag or even before Padikkal, he is a lefty too, then he would have gotten more balls to bat. He bats at No.4 for the West Indies. He has scored a century in India, knows the conditions well enough. He contributed for RR last year. And even when he was a part of the Delhi Capitals' squad, he had a crucial role in taking them to the finals," Sehwag stated.
Known to speak his mind, Sehwag further said that it was an error on Sanju Samson and Kumar Sangakkara's part.
"So, he should have been sent in a lot earlier. He is a very dangerous batter. Yes, he could have gotten out early but what's the guarantee that wouldn't get out early by batting down the order? But what if he got set by coming in the top four? He could have won you the game with an over to spare. I think RR captain Sanju Samson and coach Kumar Sangakkara have made an error here," he added.
In another big move, R Ashwin accompanied Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top instead of regular opener Jos Buttler during the chase.
After the game, however, Samson clarified his decision saying that Buttler had picked up a small injury while fielding.
Rajasthan Royals will face Delhi Capitals in their next clash in Guwahati on April 8.
