Rajasthan Royals, the winners of the inaugural edition, have always been in the category of underdogs or dark horses and it is no different this time. With Steve Smith as the skipper and a well-balanced side, Rajasthan are certainly one of the dark horses for the upcoming edition. After qualifying for the playoffs in 2018, Royals did falter a bit in 2019 as most of their overseas players left early due to the World Cup.
However, they will expect all of their first choice players to be fit and available this time around. The auctions saw them get backups for their first choice foreign players and also some Indian under-19 stars. Buying the experienced Robin Uthappa was a big highlight for the Royals, which might turn out to be a masterstroke.
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Rajasthan Royals Squad:
Steve Smith (c), Mahipal Lomror, Manan Vohra, Riyan Parag, Robin Uthappa, David Miller, Ankit Rajpoot, Mayank Markande, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Varun Aaron, Jaydev Unadkat, Kartik Tyagi, Akash Singh, Oshane Thomas, Andrew Tye, Ben Stokes, Rahul Tewatia, Shashank Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Anirudha Joshi, Tom Curran, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, Anuj Rawat
Strengths:
The biggest worry for the Royals for the last couple of seasons was the lack of alternatives for their first choice overseas players. Despite having some of the best in the business in their side, RR failed to win games once the overseas players became unavailable. They simply did not have the resources to fill in their shoes. However, with some smart tactics in the auctions, RR have finally managed to get the right backups.
With Buttler at the top and Steve Smith and Ben Stokes in the middle order, RR have a very strong batting lineup. Moreover, they have got the experience of Robin Uthappa, who can be slotted in at number three or even sent to open with Samson coming at three. The top five have a lot of experience among them and that holds the team in a good stead. Also, they can use the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal as a surprise package.
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RR have added two wrist spinners in the form of Mayank Markande and Rahul Tewatia, and as a result have now formed a side that can challenge teams playing on slow and low wickets too. Also, by trading Dhawal Kulkaarni and getting in Ankit Rajpoot, they now have a pace attack which is suitable for their home pitch.
Weakness:
Despite having a formidable top five, RR lack options who can be relied upon to finish games. Not having a designated number six and seven might prove to be costly in crunch games. Riyan Parag impressed with his composure last season and will most likely be slotted in at six. But the lack of experience is a cause of concern. Most of the backup batsmen are top order batsmen. Tom Curran might have to bat at seven as adding any other batsman at the top of the order will mean some of the main batsmen batting one position below their original slot. But Curran at seven will only make the tail long.
The pace department, especially the Indian contingent lacks experience. Varun Aaron has never been a consistent T20 bowler, Unadkat has been guilty of leaking too many runs and all others are relatively new at this level. Ankit Rajpoot seems to be the first choice pacer.
Key Players:
Jos Buttler – Single-handedly changing the fortunes of the side once he was sent to open the innings in 2018 and helping RR qualify for the playoffs, Jos Buttler will once again be key to RR’s success. The swashbuckling opener makes most of the powerplays and gets off his team to a flier more often than not. Buttler’s blitzkrieg start gives his side the platform to capitalize at the end. Moreover, Buttler has shown the tendency to bat long and when he managed to do that, there is no stopping his team from winning. The glovesman’s form will decide to a large extent where RR finish at the end of the season.
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Ben Stokes – One of the hottest properties in international cricket at the moment, Ben Stokes is undoubtedly the most valuable player for any team he plays for. Having won the Player of the Tournament in 2017, Stokes has so far underperformed for Rajasthan Royals. However, unlike the last two seasons, Stokes is in the form of his life coming into this season. Also, he has developed into a big match player and someone whom the team can rely on in pressure situations. With not much experience in the pace department, Stokes might be handed over the responsibility of bowling the crucial death overs as well.
Shreyas Gopal – It is not often you see a bowler dismissing Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in the same over. Shreyas Gopal has done it twice in two season. The wrist spinner from Karnataka played a key role in his side’s progress to the playoffs in 2018 as he was regularly amongst the wickets. After a not-so-impressive season last year, Gopal will be hoping to get back his wicket-taking form. On pitches which are on the slower side, Gopal will be RR’s best bet with the ball. Being the most experienced spinner in the side and a more than handy lower order batsman, Shreyas Gopal will be a vital cog in the wheel.
Rajasthan Royals Probable XI:
Jos Buttler (wk), Sanju Samson, Robin Uthappa, Steven Smith (C), Ben Stokes, Riyan Parag, Tom Curran, Shreyas Gopal, Mayank Markande, Jaydev Unadkat, Ankit Rajpoot