IPL 2025: No Genuine All-Rounder...? 3 Weaknesses Of Sanju Samson's RR

Jatin∙ Updated: Dec 24 2024, 11:00 PM

Sanju Samson for RR [Source: @chetuahmpa/x.com]Sanju Samson for RR [Source: @chetuahmpa/x.com]

Rajasthan Royals are coming into IPL 2025 with a squad that’s got fans talking. They have let go of big names like Jos Buttler, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Trent Boult, players you’d think were untouchable.

But in true RR style, they have taken big risks and reloaded with fresh faces like Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Jofra Archer.

With their new squad, the Royals are eyeing a second IPL title, but let’s not kid ourselves, there are some big cracks in the foundation. On paper, the starting XI looks solid, but scratch the surface, and the issues become too obvious to ignore.

Before going into the deeper analysis let us look at the RR squad for IPL 2025 –

RR squad for IPL 2025

Batters: Sanju Samson, Shubham Dubey, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Nitish Rana, Kunal Singh Rathore, Vaibhav Suryavanshi

All-rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga

Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Ashok Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal, Kwena Maphaka, Sandeep Sharma, Maheesh Theekshana, Yudhvir Singh

Weaknesses Of RR For IPL 2025

3. Bench Strength In Batting Looks Dismal

The Royals’ main batting lineup is top-notch. Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shimron Hetmyer are names you can bank on. But what happens if someone gets injured or goes out of form? That’s where things get dicey.

RR’s backups in the batting department are untested and inexperienced. Shubham Dubey hasn’t played an IPL game yet, and while 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi might be a future star, throwing him into the fire against IPL bowlers seems unfair.

Kunal Rathore is another option, but he hasn’t had IPL experience either. Without proper backups, RR might find themselves in a pickle if their big names fail. No team can survive on Plan A alone, and that’s where the Royals might struggle.

2. Overseas Bowlers Walking A Tightrope

Jofra Archer and Wanindu Hasaranga are RR’s ace cards in the bowling department, but both come with a history of injuries. Archer has spent more time in rehab than on the field in recent years, and Hasaranga’s fitness has been a concern, too.

If either of them gets injured, the Royals are in trouble. Their backups—Akash Madhwal, Kwena Maphaka, and Ashok Sharma are either inexperienced or yet to prove themselves at this level. Madhwal had a rough IPL 2024, while Maphaka’s numbers don’t inspire much confidence.

Losing Archer or Hasaranga mid-season could derail RR’s campaign. With the IPL’s demanding schedule, the Royals will need a bit of luck to keep their overseas stars fit and firing.

1. No Genuine All-Rounder

Sure, the Royals have players who can chip in with both bat and ball, but they don’t have a genuine all-rounder who can hold their own in both departments. Wanindu Hasaranga and Jofra Archer can bat a little whereas Riyan Parag or Nitish Rana can chip in with a few overs.

However, none of them are your go-to all-rounders who can win you games on their own with both bat and ball. The lack of an all-rounder could mean RR struggles to find balance in their playing XI, especially in situations with pressure galore.