Rajasthan Royals finished as the runners-up last season after losing the final against Gujarat Titans. They won nine out of 14 games in 2022 and finished in second place in the points table. This was only the third time the Royals won more than nine games since the inception of the Indian Premier League. This season, the Royals have managed to win and lose one game each.
In the first game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, the Royals scored 203 runs for the loss of five wickets. The bowlers restricted the Sunrisers to just 131 runs for the loss of eight wickets to help RR to a thumping win by 72 runs. Jos Buttler won the Player of the Match award as he scored 54 runs off 22 deliveries, and this was his 10th POTM award for RR. In the second game against the Punjab Kings, the Royals failed to chase down the target of 198 runs and could make only 192 runs.
RR Team Setup in IPL 2023
Rajasthan Royals have used Jos Buttler, Shimron Hetmyer, Trent Boult, and Jason Holder as their overseas players so far. Holder has been the new addition to the playing 11 this season and was picked during the mini-auction last year for INR 5.75 crores. Buttler is doubtful for the next game on Saturday against Delhi Capitals. They can use Donavon Ferreira or Joe Root instead of Buttler if he is unavailable. Ferreira generally bats in the middle order and scored 164 runs in ten innings in SA20 at a strike rate of 135.53. Root last played five games in the ILT20 and scored 214 runs at an average of 53.50 and a strike rate of 134.59.
Yashasvi Jaiswal has been in the best of his form recently and has scored 65 runs in two games so far at a strike rate of 144.44. Sanju Samson became the leading run-scorer for Rajasthan Royals in the previous game against the Pujab Kings. He has scored 3138 runs in 114 innings for RR at an average of 30.46 and a strike rate of 137.99. He is the current leading run-scorer for the team in two games, with 97 runs at an average of 48.5 and a strike rate of 170.17. Devdutt Padikkal, who has been batting in the middle order, can be promoted as an opener in the absence of Buttler.
Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Jason Holder are batting in the lower middle order. In these three, RR have a strong set of finishers. In the last game, RR used Dhruv Jurel as an impact player. The wicketkeeper-batter made 32 runs off 15 deliveries in his IPL debut and might get an extended run this season. Jurel was the vice-captain of the Indian Under-19 team that participated in the 2020 World Cup. Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal are the two spinners on the team and also played a key role last season. Trent Boult and KM Asif are the two pacers in the team.
They have Sandeep Sharma and Navdeep Saini on the bench, who can replace Asif whenever required. Obed McCoy can come in place of Boult or Holder when required. Besides these, RR have inexperienced bench strength, which might be an issue during the latter part of the tournament.
Important Upcoming Encounters for RR
RR will play their next game at the Delhi Capitals in Guwahati. This will be their second game of the season at this venue. Although RR were unsuccessful in their first outing here, they might be successful this time. They will play the next game against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings at the Chepauk. RR won their last game in Cheapuk during the 2008 edition of the tournament and have lost the last seven games. However, RR have won four of their last five outings against the Super Kings.
On Sunday (April 16), RR will play against the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. They lost three games against the Titans last season, including the final. RR will be looking for redemption in this game. On Wednesday, they will play their first game at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium after a gap of almost four years.
Can RR Win IPL 2023?
Rajasthan Royals have one of the best playing 11 among the ten teams. They found a young player in the form of Dhruv Jurel in the last game, and he can be used effectively in the season as they advance. They have one of the best spin attacks as well as a pace unit. However, their bench strength is very weak, which might come as an issue if any major injury comes. If Buttler is ruled out for a few games, they don’t have another player of his caliber to replace him. RR have spinners like Murugan Ashwin and KC Cariappa, but they can’t be an ideal replacement for either Chahal or Ashwin. RR are a strong team, but winning the IPL might be difficult for them with the current squad.
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