Twitter is immensely impressed with Shimron Hetmyer's sensational hitting skills

The ODI series between India and Windies got underway today in Guwahati as the hosts won the toss and opted to field first. Virat Kohli hoped for the new ball to swing in the first hour but to everyone’s surprise, it did nothing and the belter of a track has been offering runs to the Caribbean side. However, much like their temperament, the visiting batsmen have blown away the opportunity to score big and only Shimron Hetmyer stood tall among the top six.

Kieran Powell slammed an impressive half-century opening the innings, but he failed to continue and was snaffled by the rookie Khaleel Ahmed. The arrival of Hetmyer though paced things as India hoped to strangle the Windies in the middle overs. But with Kuldeep Yadav being benched, they didn’t have that special factor in their attack. After having a look for a few deliveries, the flamboyant left-hander, Hetmyer, started opening his arms.

He has built a reputation of him being a hard-hitter in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and the youngster lived up to it. Many still doubt him as the Test cricketer but he is definitely a much better batsman in the shorter formats.

Shami at the receiving end

Shimron Hetmyer took full toll of the under-strength bowling attack and frankly the Indian bowlers didn’t have any answers. Ravindra Jadeja, who made a rousing comeback to ODI cricket in the Asia Cup, bowled darts to arrest the run-scoring to no avail. More than anyone, Mohammed Shami felt the heat of Hetmyer’s batting as he was taken apart for 17 runs in his sixth over.

It didn’t matter for the Guyana-born player that the middle overs and it was important to rotate the strike. He brought up his half-century in quick time and seemed even more dangerous in the other half of his innings. His style of clearing the front leg and smacking the ball out of the ground has certainly grabbed a lot of eyeballs and could be the top contender to earn an IPL contract for the next season.

Meanwhile, by playing a lofted extra cover drive for six, Shimron Hetmyer notched up his third ODI century. However, he was soon dismissed after reaching the milestone by Jadeja for 106. But he has to be really commended for batting superbly and has put his team in a position to score more than 300 runs.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to the superb knock:

Quality knock by Shimron Hetmyer. He is going to be some player. 3 centuries in his first 13 games. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 . Best start by any West Indian batsman after so few matches.

— ian bishop (@irbishi) October 21, 2018

He was on fire.
A lot to admire.
Shemron Hetmeyer.
Good? No? Okay 😐🙈😇 #IndvWI Well played 🙏 pic.twitter.com/YntSKOlO8r

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 21, 2018

Hetmeyer is playing the kind of knock (fluent against Spin and brute force) that impresses IPL franchises. Expecting his name to appear for the auctions and teams fighting to acquire his services. #IndvWI

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 21, 2018

And with that innings Hetmyer has booked an IPL ticket for 2019 !!! #INDvWI

— Abhijith S (@Abhi_mania) October 21, 2018

What a century from Hetmyer. An innings where he looked like he wouldn't get out anytime today. Nicely played though. #INDvWI #SSCricket #SS2 @SuperSportTV

— 🇸🇿Thembisa Mbokane🇿🇦 Sir 诺言 (@djspitz) October 21, 2018

Chahal, Kohli, Dhoni, Shami and Jadeja congratulate Hetmyer after he falls for 106. Classy from India. #INDvWI

— Sreshth Shah (@sreshthx) October 21, 2018

Star in the making for the West Indies. Hetmyer brought on his hundred with a six over extra cover. Well done young man 👍 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

— Kelum Wijesinghe (@KelumWijesinghe) October 21, 2018

Solid knock from Hetmyer 💯. This knock from the youngster should lift the spirit of Windies and inspire them. #IndvsWI

— Mohit Choudhary (@Choudharis) October 21, 2018

Fastest Odi Century For WI vs India

Viv Richards – 72 Balls
Powell – 72 Balls
Samuels – 73 Balls #Hetmyer – 74 Balls
Viv Richards – 75 Balls

— CricBeat (@Cric_beat) October 21, 2018

Happy for Hetmyer. Been following him for sometime, knew it he'd make it big. IPL contract up next for him. Kings XI Punjab maybe?

— Jagmeet ਜਗਮੀਤ (@jagmeet_93) October 21, 2018

Hetmyer is a serious talent.. Big ipl contract is waiting in December. #INDvWI

— Srikkanth (@Srikkanthiyer30) October 21, 2018

Brilliant and smashing innings from Shimron Hetmyer. This lad is mighty impressive, also his ticket to IPL seems confirmed 💯

— Rukhster (@Ashish515) October 21, 2018

What an inn by #Hetmyer..he is gonna be a next million dollar baby in the @IPL 2019 #INDvsWI 1st ODI

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 21, 2018

JUST IN: Shimron Hetmyer secures an @IPL contract with a stunning 💯 against India.

— Ronald D. Sampson (@RDSampson_25) October 21, 2018

This is a magnificent hundred by Shimron Hetmyer. Has been an innings that has been near flawless.
Won't be surprised if he is a hot pick come the next #IPL auctions. Appears as if someone who is a clean striker of the ball. #INDvWI

— Abhishek Barthur (@imabhi27) October 21, 2018

Hetmyer IPL contract confirmed with this innings

— 🇹🇹Shaun With a U🇹🇹 (@Shaunks17) October 21, 2018

Dear @rajasthanroyals r u watching Shimron Hetmyer! @IPL #INDvWI #IPL2019

— Amod (@Amod420) October 21, 2018

IPL audition for the Windies- Hetmyer passes it I presume… #INDvsWI

— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) October 21, 2018

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from India vs West Indies series, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.