Rajasthan Royals (RR), renowned for their spirited and attacking approach to the game, have consistently been a team to watch in the Indian T20 League. Since their fairy-tale victory in the inaugural season of 2008, they have faced challenges in replicating their initial success.
The Royals came extremely close to lifting the trophy a second time in the 2022 season. However, despite their best efforts and commendable performance throughout the season, they fell short in the final against Gujarat Titans, finishing as runners-up.
As they gear up for the 2024 season, Rajasthan Royals made some strategic moves in the auction, acquiring key players like Rovman Powell, Shubham Dubey, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Abid Mushtaq, and Nandre Burger to strengthen their squad. With these additions, the team will aim to leverage their young talent and seasoned campaigners to challenge for the title once again.
Let’s take a detailed look at RR’s strengths, weaknesses, last season’s struggles and measures to counter them, internal competition, and players to watch out for.
RR Strengths
Dynamic Top Order:
Rajasthan Royals has an explosive top-order with the likes of Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sajnu Samson. Jaiswal, in particular, emerged as a standout performer in the previous season, securing his place as the fifth-highest run-scorer with an impressive tally of 625 runs across 14 matches, striking at an electrifying rate of 163.61. Buttler, despite a quieter 2023 season, is primed to make a significant impact alongside Jaiswal in 2024. Samson is set to anchor the lineup at the crucial number three position.
World-Class Spin Arsenal:
The spin department of the Rajasthan Royals is nothing short of sensational, featuring the likes of Yuzvendra Chahal, Adam Zampa, and Ravichandran Ashwin. This trio of spin wizards, with their extensive international experience, poses a substantial threat to any batting lineup.
RR Weaknesses
The Challenge of Leadership:
Since assuming captaincy in 2021, Samson has faced challenges in translating his leadership into victories. Over three seasons, his win rate stands at 48.89%, leading the team to victory in 22 out of 45 matches. Additionally, Samson’s batting performance appears to be impacted by his captaincy responsibilities, with an average of 28.97.
Pace Bowling Dilemma:
The pace department, spearheaded by Trent Boult, adds experience and aggression to the Royals' bowling lineup. Nandre Burger, another promising talent, offers variety but is constrained by the league's overseas player restrictions. Beyond these two, the Royals' pace attack, including Avesh Khan, Navdeep Saini, and Kuldeep Sen, has been prone to conceding runs.
The All-Rounder Conundrum: Rajasthan Royals all-rounders present a mixed picture. While Rovman Powell brings solid all-round capabilities to the team, reliance on other all-rounders like Riyan Parag has not yielded consistent results.
RR’s Struggles Last Season and Counter Strategies
After a dip in form in 2023, including five ducks, Jos Buttler will look to rebound. His performances in The Hundred 2023 were scintillating and he will hope to replicate the same performances in the upcoming tournament. Furthermore, the 2023 season saw RR's batting order experiment a lot at the top of the order which backfired. However, this year, they will aim to maintain consistency at the top.
Moreover, persisting with an out-of-form Riyan Parag also raised questions. However, Parag's resurgence in domestic cricket and the acquisition of Rovman Powell as a genuine all-rounder are steps toward addressing these issues.
Competition for Spots
RR's lineup, especially in batting, appears set, but it's the all-rounder and bowling segments where intense competition for spots is anticipated. Rovman Powell is the first-choice overseas all-rounder, yet Donovan Ferreira’s skills keep him as a strong contender. Similarly, Riyan Parag's position could be challenged by Shubham Dubey, depending on form and team strategy.
In the bowling department, Avesh Khan is likely to lead the pace attack alongside Trent Boult but he will face stiff competition from Sandeep Sharma, Navdeep Saini, and Kuldeep Sen. The choice between these pacers will likely be form-dependent, with considerations for match conditions potentially allowing for two of them to feature simultaneously.
Players to Watch
International Players:
Jos Buttler, Trent Boult, and newly acquired Rovman Powell are three prominent players whose performances will be closely observed. Buttler will be expected to display his fireworks, while Boult with the new ball, and Powell with his finishing skills will be pivotal for the inaugural champions.
Young Stars:
After a standout tournament last year and a sensational international season, Jaiswal has become a household name. His performances in the upcoming season, ahead of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, make him a player to keep an eye on. Dhruv Jurel is another promising young talent, whose power hitting in the death overs and potential behind the stumps will be keenly looked upon.
FanCraze Fast Facts
- Rajasthan Royals stands as the least expensive team in the league’s history, acquired for USD 67 million in 2008 by an Emerging Media-led consortium.
- Rajasthan Royals hold the record for the fewest losses in a single season, with only 3 defeats in their victorious 2008 season.
- Rajasthan Royals is the only team in the league’s history to have one player (Shane Warner) serve both as captain and coach in the same year (2008).
RR Squad for 2024 Season:
Sanju Samson (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Donovan Ferreira, Kunal Rathore, Kuldeep Sen, Navdeep Saini, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal, Adam Zampa, Avesh Khan, Rovman Powell, Nandre Burger, Shubham Dubey, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Abid Mushtaq.
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