Shimron Hetmyer flies home from IPL for birth of first child

The West Indies batsman averages 71 in the current IPL campaign, with a strike rate above 166, which rises to in excess of 214 in the death overs

Sam Morshead | 08/05/2022 at 09:44

Shimron Hetmyer has flown home from the Indian Premier League to attend the birth of his first child.

Hetmyer, who has been in excellent form for Rajasthan Royals in this season's competition, is expected to return to India following his trip back to Guyana to support his wife Nirvani.

The West Indies batsman averages 71 in the current IPL campaign, with a strike rate above 166, which rises to in excess of 214 in the death overs.

Hetmyer said in a video posted by the Royals in social media: "Babies are only born once, and this will be my first.

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^{Shimron Hetmyer has flown home to Guyana [screengrab/BCCI]}

"My stuff is still left in the room, it's only because of a special emergency that I'm leaving.

"Don't miss me too much."

It seems highly unlikely that Hetmyer will be back in time for the Royals' clash with Delhi Capitals on May 11.

However, his franchise will hold out hope of a return for either the May 15 meeting with Lucknow Super Giants, or their final match of the regular season - against Chennai Super Kings on May 20.