Romario Shepherd’s 2025 just keeps getting better. After lifting the IPL trophy with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) earlier this year, the West Indian all-rounder added another feather to his cap by becoming only the second player from his country to take a hat-trick in men’s T20 internationals.
The 30-year-old pulled it off in the third T20I against Bangladesh in Chattogram, striking at the death to dismantle the hosts’ lower order. Shepherd dismissed Nurul Hasan off the last ball of the 17th over before returning in the final over to remove Tanzid Hasan, who was batting on 89, and Shoriful Islam off consecutive deliveries. Bangladesh folded for 151, and the West Indies cruised home by five wickets to complete a 3-0 sweep.
The hat-trick made him only the second West Indian to do so in T20Is after Jason Holder, who achieved it against England in Bridgetown back in 2022.
RCB to retain Romario Shepherd?
For someone RCB picked at his base price of Rs 1.5 crore, Shepherd has turned into a frugal investment. He is a utility player and with the experience of playing over 200 T20 matches, Shepherd has improved his game quite well. Now, his international form has strengthened his case for retention ahead of next season’s auction. For the West Indies, he takes the new ball as well and is one of the leading pacers in recent times.
Since his T20I debut in 2020, Shepherd has quietly built a solid record with 71 wickets in 66 matches at an average of 27.71 and an economy rate under 10. He’s now closing in on 200 wickets across all T20s, which says enough about his durability and relevance in the modern game.
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