IPL 2025: 3 Rajasthan Royals Players Who Did Well In SMAT 2024

Akshita Patel

Rajasthan Royals' top players who performed well in IPL 2025 [Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @ImTanujSingh/X.com]Rajasthan Royals' top players who performed well in IPL 2025 [Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @ImTanujSingh/X.com]

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The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 season unearthed many superstars this year. With wickets most favourable for batters, several top players from IPL franchises, including Rajasthan Royals (RR), had a decent season.

Sanju Samson was leading Kerala whereas Sandeep Sharma, Yudhvir Singh, Nitish Rana and many more made notable contributions. On that note, let’s explore three such players from RR who excelled in the SMAT 2024 season.

3. Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson, RR [Source: @RajeshSreerag/X.com]Sanju Samson, RR [Source: @RajeshSreerag/X.com]

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson had a mixed SMAT 2024 campaign, but he provided glimpses of his class while representing Kerala. In five matches, Samson scored 136 runs at a strike rate of 143.61. 

His 75 off 45 balls against Services in Group E was a highlight, showcasing his ability to anchor and accelerate an innings. Despite Kerala narrowly missing out on the knockouts, winning four out of six matches, Samson’s form and leadership will be crucial for Rajasthan’s prospects in IPL 2025.

2. Sandeep Sharma

Sandeep Sharma, RR [Source: @CSKYash_/X.com]Sandeep Sharma, RR [Source: @CSKYash_/X.com]

Sandeep Sharma, the seasoned pacer retained by RR for IPL 2025, displayed his signature consistency during SMAT 2024. For Chandigarh, Sharma took nine wickets in seven matches at an economical rate of 7.48. Sharma was brilliant with his accuracy in the powerplay and death overs and had a match-winning performance against Assam, returning figures of 4/22. Sandeep’s ability to contain runs and strike at crucial junctures makes him an indispensable asset for the Royals.

1. Kumar Kartikeya

Kumar Kartikeya, RR [Source: @CBMCRICKET/X.com]Kumar Kartikeya, RR [Source: @CBMCRICKET/X.com]

One of RR’s key signings in the IPL 2025 auction, Kumar Kartikeya, lived up to expectations with a phenomenal SMAT 2024 season for Madhya Pradesh. The left-arm spinner emerged as the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker, claiming 17 dismissals in 10 matches at an economy of 7.63. Kartikeya’s ability to deceive batters with his variations was evident throughout the tournament, especially in the final, where he dismissed the dangerous Shivam Dube. 

Kartikeya's best bowling in the competition came against Hyderabad in a Group A game, as he took 3 for 25. Kartikeya’s impactful performances, including key dismissals of experienced players like Suryakumar Yadav and Ajinkya Rahane, were instrumental in Madhya Pradesh’s journey to the final.