Credits: Rajasthan Royals Twitter handle
2021 squad:
Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ben Stokes, David Miller, Chris Morris, Jofra Archer, Andrew Tye, Riyan Parag, Manan Vohra, Mahipal Lomror, Oshane Thomas, Jaydev Unadkat, Akash Singh, Anuj Rawat, KC Cariappa, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Gopal, Kartik Tyagi, Evin Lewis, Liam Livingstone, Mustafizur Rahman, Chetan Sakariya, Tabriaz Shamsi, Rahul Tewatia, Glenn Phillips, Mayank Markhande, Kuldip Yadav, Gerald Coetzee
Performance Track Record:
When we talk about Rajasthan Royal's stint in the IPL, it has been a mixed bag as a whole. Though they were the first-edition winners, the team didn't get a chance to add another feather to their title by winning another edition. This team did face a two-edition ban from the IPL due to a match-fixing scandal. In their total 12 IPL editions, they have managed to get through the playoffs stages three times and win the title one time. Here is the team's season track record.
- 2008: Champions
- 2009: 6th
- 2010: 7th
- 2011: 6th
- 2012: 7th
- 2013: 3rd (Playoffs)
- 2014: 5th
- 2015: 4th (Playoffs)
- 2018: 4th (Playoffs)
- 2019: 7th
- 2020: 8th
- 2021: 7th
2021 Performance report card:
The 2021 squad of Rajasthan Royals was all about an amalgamation of young-blood and experienced players. The team was known for having one of the strongest and star-studded overseas arsenal. They have made a heavy investment in players like Chris Morris. But couldn't get the best and most valuable return out of it. And indeed, many had high expectations from the squad to end their no playoff drought with that squad. But things didn't favour them, and the 2021 edition was another season of disappointment for the men in pink and blue.
Retained players for the 2022 edition:
Sanju Samson (14 Crores): Sanju Samson has been the sole highlight for his cricketing performance. With a decent 2021 run with the bat, he has made 484 runs in 14 games, with a strike rate of 136.72 and average of 40.33. He has also been handy enough with his wicketkeeping skills but needs to polish his captaincy skills.
Jos Buttler (10 Crores): The English wicketkeeper-batter has been one of the most destructive and consistent performers in the IPL. And it is evident that the team wouldn't miss his presence in the upcoming seasons. Though he had missed the second leg of the 2021 edition, he was crucial enough in providing 254 runs and a valuable century in the first half.
Yashaswi Jaiswal (4 Crores): The budding batting prodigy from Mumbai, Yashaswi Jaiswal, proves to be an upcoming valuable asset for the Rajasthan Royals. Though he might be decent enough with the bat now, he can prove to be dangerous and clinical in his coming seasons with the franchise.
Players to target for in the upcoming 2022 auction:
Ravichandran Ashwin/ Rahul Chahar: One of the main weakness of this team would be the lack of having a set spinner. In the upcoming auction, the team must go for a spinner known for his top-notch performance in the IPL. The first priority must be given to Ravichandran Ashwin, thanks to his experience. If not, Rahul Chahar should be another decent option, as he seems a promising talent.
Shimron Hetmyer: Another weakness of the team would be an unstable middle-order. Acquiring Shimron Hetmyer could be crucial in solving this issue, as he was swashbuckling for the Delhi Capitals in the previous edition. As a power-hitter, he could change the game for the squad in some matches. He had scored 242 runs in 14 games, with a whopping strike rate of 168.05.
Trent Boult/ Pat Cummins: This team has young and quality pacers like Chetan Sakariya and Kartik Tyagi. But still, it lacks a quality bowler. Though they can bid again on Jofra Archer, he has been an injured-prone player where they can't rely on him to the fullest. And getting a quality pacer like Trent Boult or Pat Cummins could solve the team's drawback.
Dewald Brevis: The budding batting prodigy from South Africa, Dewald Brevis has been having a dream run in the recent ICC U-19 World Cup in West Indies. Thanks to his wide variety of shot selection and deadly hitting, he can solve the crisis of Rajasthan Royal's batting menace.
Shahrukh Khan: Though his innings might not orient towards some highest number, he can be a deadly finisher for the team and can turn the tables of the match. Not only just in the IPL, but he has been an effective batter in the first-class tournaments for his state team, Tamil Nadu. Rajasthan Royals should aim to acquire him as it not only just strengthens the middle-order batting core, but also can provide some crucial runs for the team at the end moments of the match.
SWOT Analysis:
When it's about the SWOT analysis, the team's strength would be their top-order. With the likes of retentions like Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal, it is evident that the team has some power-hitting and reliable openers. It also consists of having some good wicketkeepers. The major things that the team should focus on in the upcoming edition would be to resolve their middle-order batting and bowling issues. Also, they must reduce their over-dependence on the overseas players and create a balanced squad through the upcoming mega-auction.
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