IPL 2025: No Place For R Ashwin? 3 All-Rounders RR Will Target In Mega Auction

RR not to target Ashwin [Source: @CEmpire_7/X.Com]RR not to target Ashwin [Source: @CEmpire_7/X.Com]

Out of the 46 players retained by 10 franchises ahead of Indian Premier League 2025 auction, only seven are all-rounders. The same isn’t a surprise by any means due to the advent of the Impact Player rule.

Rajasthan Royals, one of the two franchises to have exhausted their quota of retaining six players, have retained one all-rounder in Riyan Parag. Interestingly, he and Ravichandran Ashwin were their only two designated all-rounders during IPL 2024 until they roped in Tanush Kotian as a replacement for Australia spinner Adam Zampa.

While such a strategy worked for them during the last season where they lost Qualifier 2, captain Sanju Samson wouldn’t mind the presence of specialist all-rounders in a bid to lift the silverware for the first time since the inaugural season in 2008.

Having said that, a purse of INR 41 crore, lowest among all franchises, won’t allow them to execute big-ticket purchases. Hence, some of the budget all-rounders which RR could target in the mega auction are:

Moeen Ali (Base Price – INR 2 crore)

Why will RR target Moeen Ali?

  • With Ashwin expected to be in demand tomorrow, former England all-rounder Moeen Ali could prove to be an asset for Royals.
  • As a retired international cricketer now, Ali’s stakes have dropped to an extent that he wouldn’t become a financial burden for RR.
  • Capable of batting anywhere in the order, Rajasthan can easily float him, if needed.
  • Active in the T20 circuit, Ali has scored a century and four half-centuries and picked 41 wickets at an economy and strike rate of 7.48 and 17.09 respectively this year.

Sikandar Raza (Base Price – INR 1.25 crore)

Why will RR target Sikandar Raza?

  • Assuming RR miss Ali in AL3, they should bid for Zimbabwe T20I captain Sikandar Raza in AL4.
  • Expected to find a buyer at a cheaper price than Ali, Raza has it in him to aptly partner Shimron Hetmyer in finishing the innings for Rajasthan.
  • An archetype experienced street-smart campaigner, Raza is coming on the back of a career-best T20 knock.
  • In addition to his maiden T20 century, the 38-year-old player has also hit three half-centuries and dismissed 43 batters at an economy and strike rate of 7.28 and 22.58 respectively in 2024.

Mayank Rawat (Base Price – INR 30 lakh)

Why will RR target Mayank Rawat?

  • Set to take IPL 2025 mega auction expedition on a shoestring budget, Royals are expected to be eying uncapped Indian all-rounders to be in sync with their knack of grooming comparatively unknown players.
  • While Rawat registered a forgettable first-class debut against Tamil Nadu last month, readers must note that he was the Player of the Match in Delhi Premier League 2024 final where he scored five sixes in the last over.
  • Seventh-highest run-scorer and seventh wicket-taker in DPL 2024, the 25-year old right-handed batter had scored 289 runs at an average of 72.25 and a strike rate of 190.13 and picked 11 wickets at an economy and strike rate of 7.04 and 14.18 respectively with his off-spin.
  • For the unversed, the 25-year-old player was part of the Indian U-19 squad which featured the likes of Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma and Prithvi Shaw to rub shoulders against English players namely Harry Brook, Ollie Pope and Will Jacks.