Just like CSK, Rajasthan Royals also had to miss the last two editions of IPL. Over the years, RR have never boasted of too many star players, but have always managed to be highly competitive almost every season. This has been possible because they have always managed to get the best out of each and every member in the squad. The highly unfancied winners in the inaugural edition of IPL, RR managed to qualify for the play-offs on two more occasions, the recent one being in the 2015 season which was also the last season before their suspension.
Even before the start of the IPL, Rajasthan Royals were hit by the news of Steven Smith’s ban. Smith was their designated captain for the 2018 edition of IPL. Having replaced him with a supremely talented Klaasen, RR have quite a strong squad to give the other teams a run for their money.
Strengths
RR have got some extremely good pace bowlers, suited for T20, in their squad. Almost all of them are extremely good at the death as well, which more often than ends up being the defining period.
Two high quality wicket-keeper batsmen in Samson and Buttler ensures there is sufficient cover in that department, in case one of them gets injured or is unable to keep wickets.
Areas of concern
Smith’s absence robs them of a quality skipper. And Rahane not having had a lot of experience leading an IPL side, except for a solitary match in the previous season, will have his task cut out.
As always, RR seem to have a lot of reliance on Indian as well as foreign youngsters. Over the years, they have always managed to get the best out of each of the players and it remains to be seen if they are able to replicate the same again.
The batting after No.5-6 will not give a lot of confidence if you are an RR fan. Though those players have shown good performances at the domestic level, they are still unproven at such a big stage. Hence, it remains to be seen how they deliver when faced against pressure situations. To add to it, their 9, 10 and 11 can hardly contribute anything with the bat, so it is mostly upto the top 5-6 players to do the bulk of the scoring in most matches.
D’Arcy Short and Archer have shown their capabilities in the Big Bash as well as other T20 leagues, Archer in particular, but have not played a single match in India yet. How quickly they adjust to the conditions is something that will determine the amount of success they will have this season.
Players to watch out for
In his first season in IPL last year, Ben Stokes managed to stay true to his billing as one of the greatest all-rounders in the shortest format of the game. 12 games, 316 runs at a strike rate of 143 and 12 wickets at an economy of 7.1 definitely make for excellent reading. While off-field incidents troubled his career over the last 8-10 months, Stokes is now back and is very much raring to go. RR will be wanting to have Stokes at his absolute best for them.
Rahul Tripathi made headlines by bursting onto the scene in the last season. Playing his first IPL, just like Stokes, Tripathi gave RPS some quick-fire opening stands with Rahane. The runs that he scored were scored quickly as well, at a strike rate of 146. Rajasthan Royals will be hoping to see Tripathi replicate his previous season’s success. If he is able to be consistent with his game, with the big hitters coming later on, RR have a very good chance of getting those big scores in consistently.
The flag-bearer of the change in the approach to England’s one-day game, Jos Buttler is an absolute delight to watch when on song. In this RR line-up, Buttler should have a slightly different batting position, at number three, rather than his usual opener’s slot. However that shouldn’t matter much with regards to his approach to a T20 game. An in-form Jos Buttler will be vital to RR’s success.
Over the years, Ben Laughlin has developed into one of the most reliable death bowlers, in T20. With his vast experience playing in T20 leagues across the globe, Rajasthan Royals will be looking at him to lead their pace attack. The presence of someone like Laughlin will also help the youngsters in the side a great deal.
Rajasthan Royals squad – IPL 2018
Probable Starting XI:Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Tripathi, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Sanju Samson, Jofra Archer, Krishnappa Goutham, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat, Dhawal Kulkarni, Ben Laughlin
Top-order
Just like they did for RPS in the previous edition, Rahane and Tripathi will be opening the batting for Rajasthan Royals. Tripathi plays with a lot of aggression which will give Rahane the time to settle before he gets going. Also, Rahane tends to find it difficult to find the gaps once the field restrictions are over, so the opener’s slot is where Rahane can flourish. Jos Buttler, one of the most destructive players in world cricket should come in at number three. Having a player of Buttler’s calibre coming in at number three should augur well for Rajasthan Royals.
RR will be looking at Rahane and Tripathi to provide a solid foundation at the top
Middle-order
Stokes at 4 can provide the much needed acceleration in the middle overs. A clean hitter of the cricket ball, Stokes is difficult to stop once he gets going. In addition to his skills with the bat, Stokes also bowls those tough overs at the death. Coming between Stokes and Archer will allow Samson to slowly accumulate runs at one end, or even go after the bowling if the situation demands so. A batsman who is easy on the eyes, if Samson plays for a few overs, strokes will start flowing from his willow. Archer, who the Indian fans haven’t seen much of, should come in at number 6. An extremely good bowler in pressure situations, Archer can also get those big hits out at the end overs.
Lower middle-order
Goutham at 7 gives this batting side a very dangerous look, as he is known to be a ferocious striker. He can be trusted upon to give those vital runs at the end of the innings. At 8, Shreyas Gopal, will be called upon more for his bowling than his batting. Being a leg-spinner, gives the side a genuine wicket-taking option. Binny and Gopal will be contenders for the no.8 berth, however, the former being a right arm medium-pacer(RR will already have four of them in the XI), might have his chances few and far between. Incase RR decide on bolstering their batting, Binny is the perfect fit at No.8, as he can go after the bowlers right from the start.
Bowlers
Unadkat, Kulkarni and Laughlin will form the pace bowling trio for Rajasthan Royals, in addition to Ben Stokes at the top. Laughlin, a T20 specialist, is an exceptional death bowler. Kulkarni is more effective with the new ball, while Unadkat, with his slower ball variations, will be used at the start as well as at the death, alongside Laughlin and Stokes, by RR.
Expected position in the league table – Bottom half
Rajasthan Royals start their IPL campaign with an away game, an 8pm start, against Sunrisers Hyderabad on 9th April.