IPL 2024 | Rachin Ravindra To Join Samson & Buttler? Here's Rajasthan Royals' Pre-Auction Analysis
Rajasthan Royals haven't laid their hands on the IPL trophy after 2008
Rajasthan Royals' (RR) journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a tale of early victory followed by years of striving to recapture their former glory. In 2008, the Royals, under the captaincy of Shane Warne, were the dark horses who galloped to victory. This victory was a fairy tale, as they were seen as underdogs but managed to clinch the title.
However, post-2008, the Royals' journey can be likened to chasing a mirage in the desert. Despite having seasoned stalwarts and promising youngsters over the years, they struggled to replicate their initial success. Their strategy often seemed like a puzzle with missing pieces, as they struggled with inconsistency and a lack of continuity in team composition.
The team's narrative took a promising turn in 2022, sparking hope among fans that the Royals would finally end their drought. They reached the finals by displaying aggressive batting, cunning bowling, and spirited fielding. But, unfortunately, they were bested by the Gujarat Titans in the final. The 2023 season once again saw them missing out on a playoff berth as they finished fifth.
Throughout their IPL journey, the Royals have been a team that often punches above their weight, showing flashes of brilliance but falling short of consistency. As the IPL 2024 auction approaches, Rajasthan Royals (RR) is gearing up for a significant challenge. With a relatively modest budget of INR 13.15 crores, which is the second smallest among the teams, they are preparing to enter the auction with a strategy that reflects their strong belief in their existing team.
Rather than aiming for major overhauls, they focus on subtle improvements, identifying specific players who can smoothly integrate into the team and address gaps. This careful approach to enhancing their squad without major disruptions is crucial for their performance in the upcoming season. Here's a detailed SWOT analysis for RR as they head into IPL 2024:
RR - IPL 2024 Retained Players
Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, Jos Buttler, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Sandeep Sharma (replacement), Trent Boult, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Sen, Kuldip Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Donovan Ferreira, Kunal Rathore, Adam Zampa, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan (traded).
RR Remaining Purse: INR 14.5 crore
RR Slots Available: 8
Overseas Slots: 3
IPL 2024 – RR Squad Analysis
Let's take a look at RR's strengths and weaknesses:
Strength of RR for IPL 2024
- Formidable Top Order: Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sanju Samson form a robust top order. Their batting might offer RR a solid foundation in every match.
Image: Twitter
- Versatile Spin Attack: Seasoned campaigner Ravichandran Ashwin's intelligence and variety in spin bowling make him a crucial asset, especially in controlling the middle overs. On the other hand, leg-spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Adam Zampa's ability to take crucial wickets and maintain a tight economy rate adds valuable dimensions to the spin attack.
Image: Twitter
- Deep Pace Arsenal: Trent Boult, known for his lethal swing bowling, especially in the powerplay overs, can dismantle top orders with ease. Prasidh Krishna's pace and the newly acquired Avesh Khan's ability to bowl fast and hit the deck hard make them valuable assets in varying pitch conditions. Moreover, Navdeep Saini, emerging talent Kuldeep Sen, Kuldip Yadav, and the strategic Sandeep Sharma provide versatile options in the bowling lineup.
Image: Twitter
Weakness of RR for IPL 2024
- Vulnerabilities in Death Bowling: Boult, while exceptional with the new ball, isn't as dominant in the death overs, which could be a tactical limitation. Prasidh and Avesh, despite their pace and skill, have shown a tendency to concede runs in the crucial final overs. This inconsistency at the death could be a significant drawback in tight matches.
- Middle Order Uncertainties: Shimron Hetmyer brings power but lacks reliability, making his performances a hit-or-miss affair, which can be risky in crucial situations. Despite his potential, Dhruv Jurel is still untested in high-pressure scenarios, raising questions about his ability to deliver consistently. Riyan Parag is yet to establish himself as a dependable player in the middle order, leaving a gap in the team's batting lineup.
Image: Twitter
- The overall composition of RR's middle and lower order, with its mix of explosive yet inconsistent batters and unproven young talents, leaves room for improvement. This aspect of the team could be a weak link, especially when compared to their formidable top order and bowling lineup.
Areas to fill for RR in IPL 2024 Auction
- Death Over Specialists: Given the team's vulnerability in the death overs, RR should look for bowlers specialising in this phase. Ideal candidates would be those with a proven track record of containing runs and taking wickets in the final overs.
- Solid Middle-Order Batsmen: The inconsistency in the middle order is a concern for RR. They should aim to acquire reliable and experienced middle-order batsmen who can provide stability and keep the scoreboard ticking in case the top order fails.
- Finishers: To complement their batting lineup, RR could benefit from adding a couple of hard-hitting finishers. Players who can maintain a high strike rate and perform under pressure would be invaluable, especially in close matches.
- Backup for Key Players: Ensuring there are capable backups for key positions, especially in the batting department, would be a prudent move. This would provide RR with options in case of form slumps or injuries to their main players.
Possible Target Players for RR in IPL 2024 Auction
- Rachin Ravindra: If RR manages to shift Sanju Samson to Number 4, they could be eyeing the young and talented all-rounder from New Zealand who can bat at three. Ravindra is known for his solid technique, especially against spin bowling, which was on display in World Cup 2023. His ability to bowl gives RR an added advantage, offering balance to the team composition.
- Harry Brook: Emerging star from England, Brook has shown exceptional batting skills in domestic and international circuits. Despite failing to set IPL 2023 ablaze and being released by SRH, his aggressive style and ability to accelerate the innings in the middle overs cannot be overlooked. His inclusion will significantly bolster RR's middle order.
- Manish Pandey: A seasoned batsman, Pandey is known for his stability and skills on difficult batting wickets. His experience could be invaluable, especially if he bats in the middle order, allowing RR to leverage his skill set effectively as he could play the anchor role.
- Sarfaraz Khan: A domestic cricket powerhouse, Sarfaraz has consistently performed in Indian domestic leagues. His ability to play spin and pace equally well makes him a valuable asset, and he could very well play the finisher's role that RR so desperately need.
- Priyam Garg: A young talent from India, Garg has shown promise in domestic cricket. His inclusion could bring youthful energy and potential to the middle order.
- Dwaine Pretorius: South African all-rounder known for his hard-hitting batting and effective medium-pace bowling, he can be a crucial player in finishing innings and providing key breakthroughs with the ball.
- Daniel Sams: Australian all-rounder with a knack for hitting big shots and bowling tight overs, his left-arm pace could add variety to RR's bowling attack and strengthen the lower-middle order.
Besides the aforementioned names, RR could also bid for Rilee Rossouw, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Daryl Mitchell, Rassie van der Dussen, Karun Nair, Dawid Malan, David Wiese, Jimmy Neesham.
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