IPL 2026: Why is Shimron Hetmyer not playing SRH vs RR Match 21?

Sunrisers Hyderabad are batting first in Match No. 21 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 versus Rajasthan Royals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Attacking middle-order batter Shimron Hetmyer will unfortunately be sitting out in this match, with the same being confirmed by the side ahead of the teams taking centre stage.

SRH vs RR: Toss Update

The visiting RR side won the toss and opted to field first. Skipper Riyan Parag confirmed that his men will be entering this contest with a couple of changes to their line-up from the previous clash. Ishan Kishan, the SRH captain, on the other hand, also made a couple of changes to the playing XI for the hosts in the ongoing clash.

SRH vs RR: Hetmyer out, RR hand debut to Pretorius; Hosts bring in Hinge

To replace Hetmyer, RR handed a cap to Lhuan-dre Pretorius. The batter had joined RR as a replacement player for injured Nitish Rana in 2025 and was retained by the franchise for the ongoing season as well. The South African youngster is a middle-order batter, indicating a like-for-like change made by RR. The Jaipur-based side also brought in Tushar Deshpande for Brijesh Sharma.

On the other hand, SRH opted to sit out the likes of Harshal Patel and Jaydev Unadkat while bringing in Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain.

SRH vs RR: What did the captains say?

Riyan Parag, RR captain,

We’ll be bowling first. A new wicket for us, first time it’s been used this season as well. So hopefully there’s a little bit of stickiness at the start. We’ve chased down a lot of totals here. We fell short in 2024, so hopefully not the case this time. We’ve got two changes. Brijesh steps out and Tushar Deshpande comes in. Hetty gets a rest and Pretorius makes his debut. It’s been a journey. I was under (Sanju Samson) Bhaiya for the longest time, and then Sangaa did really well in improving me with all the decisions and involved me in all the tactical and strategic meetings. Now I think I’ve taken the onus up. Had to make a lot of tough calls, but happy to be here.

Ishan Kishan, SRH captain,

We’ve got two changes from the last game, Henge coming in. I think I’ve been doing this for a long time. I was a leader in Under-19 India, I’ve been doing it for my state team, and I think it makes you more aware of the situation, more focused on the game. You look to do more for your team because it’s never about individual performance, it’s always about teamwork. So we have done it, and I think we’re doing it in a very good manner. I think obviously it makes a difference when you’re the captain of the team and you’ve been doing well. It shows a lot of maturity, that a player has a certain amount of growth in him now. So it did help me a bit in the last few years when I’ve been a leader of my side and done well for the team. It made me come back to the Indian side. So what else can you ask for?

SRH vs RR: Playing Xis

Rajasthan Royals

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper), Riyan Parag (capt), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Tushar Deshpande

Impact Substitutes: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravi Singh, Shubham Dubey, Brijesh Sharma

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (capt & wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Salil Arora, Aniket Verma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Eshan Malinga, Praful Hinge

Impact Substitutes: R Smaran, Sakib Hussain, Liam Livingstone, Shivam Mavi, Harshal Patel