ILT20 2025-26: Shimron Hetmyer to miss remainder of the tournament due to hamstring injury, England batter named as replacement

Desert Vipers have suffered a massive blow as their star batter Shimron Hetmyer has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament due to a hamstring injury. The Caribbean batter got injured while playing against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) on Tuesday, December 16, and has been replaced in the Vipers' squad by former England batter Jason Roy.

Hetmyer played in all seven games for Vipers so far this season, but failed to live up to his potential. While he aggregated just 111 runs in six innings at an average of 18.50, he had an impressive strike rate of 160.86. Hetmyer's highest score was the breathtaking 48 he amassed off just 25 balls against ADKR on December 5.

Tom Moody, Vipers' Director of Cricket, expressed his disappointment after losing the services of a seasoned campaigner in the shortest format, like Hetmyer. However, the former Australian all-rounder explained how Roy can help the Vipers in the backend of the tournament.

"We are extremely disappointed to lose a player of Shimron's quality and experience as he has played a positive role in our squad this season, but securing someone of Jason's pedigree and experience certainly softens that blow," Moody was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"Jason ticks all the boxes for us. He knows the format inside-out, he is a versatile batter who can go through the gears, he provides us options up and down the order, he has been playing recently and he has experience in the ILT20," he added.

Roy recently featured in the Nepal Premier League shortly after his stint in the Abu Dhabi T10 League. He also carries ample experience of playing in the ILT20, having represented Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in two games in 2024 and Sharjah Warriorz in 12 games last season.

The Vipers have already made it to the playoffs. On Saturday, December 20, they outclassed Sharjah Warriorz by four wickets to register their seventh win in eight matches this season. Roy came in as the Impact Player and was dismissed for one run off six balls.