Sanju Samson with Yashasvi Jaiswal (Source:@chinmayshah28/X.com)
Rajasthan Royals won the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League, but have not been able to repeat those heroics after that. They came close in the last cycle under Sanju Samson, and would be hoping that a renewed arsenal can take them to the IPL glory in the 2025 season.
They have decided to let go some of their big players like Jos Buttler, Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravi Ashwin. The franchise though kept lot of faith on their Indian batting core and let's see what would be their batting batting line-up for IPL 2025.
Rajasthan Royals' IPL 2025 Squad
Sanju Samson (c & wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Kunal Rathore, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, WaninduHasaranga, Nitish Rana, Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, Kwena Maphaka, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Akash Madhwal, Tushar Deshpande, Yudhvir Singh, Ashok Sharma, Maheesh Theekshana, Kumar Kartikeya
Sanju Samson And Yashasvi Jaiswal To Open
Sanju Samson batted at number 3 for RR in IPL 2024 and was quite successful too. However, with success at the top of the order and Buttler no longer in the squad, Samson looks set to open in IPL as well. He has truckloads of experience as a player in IPL and has 4419 runs with an average of 30.68 and strike-rate of 138.96.
Sanju Samson As Opener In T20Is
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Innings | 17 |
| Runs | 522 |
| Average | 32.63 |
| Strike-Rate | 178.77 |
Yashasvi Jaiswal In T20s
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Innings | 100 |
| Runs | 2978 |
| Average | 31.68 |
| Strike-Rate | 150.25 |
However, he has found a new life as an opener now and has three hundreds in 17 innings as an opener and he would be looking to translate that international exploits at the IPL level. His partner will be Yashasvi Jaiswal who has been brilliant in the last few years for RR and is now an accomplished opener for India in T20Is and Test cricket. He has all the shots in the book and with both known for aggressive batting, expect RR to score some quick runs in Powerplay.
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Rajasthan Royals' Middle Order For IPL 2025
Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranaga
The best candidate for number 3 according to the experience and stats is Nitish Rana. He has been an opener to a number six batter in IPL and has shown great flexibility over the years to adjust to different positions. He has six fifties at number 3 in IPL and with his ability to change gears when needed, he can be a reliable batter.
Nitish Rana At Number 3 In IPL
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Innings | 32 |
| Runs | 771 |
| Average | 24.87 |
| Strike-Rate | 136.94 |
The number 4 and number 5 and six is likely to remain the same as it was in the last IPL where Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer all have made handy contributions. Parag, especially had a breakthrough season where he scored 573 runs at an average of 52.09 and strike-rate of 149.21.
Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel can be used as floaters according to the match situation, with the former expected to unleash his power-hitting skills as a finisher. At number 7 will be Wanindu Hasaranga who is a gun-bowler, but a handy batter too who has nine fifties in the shortest format. His presence adds depth to the batting line-up while Jofra Archer who will primarily play a role of a bowler can also contribute with the bat.
Impact Players In Batting - Vaibhav Suryavanshi And Shubham Dubey
If RR decide to use an Impact player rule while batting, they can use Shubham Dubey to add more depth and it would help them use Wanindu Hasaranga at number 8 if needed. Dubey will be added, if they feel the need of power in the lower middle order and a finisher. He has performed that role quite well for Vidarbha over the years with an average of 38.35 and strike-rate of 152.69.
However, there are also chances that RR might unleash 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi at number 3. He is naturally an opener and is a power-hitter who has played plenty of sparkling knocks in the last few months in U19 Asia Cup and Vijay Hazare Trophy. If he is used at number 3, all other batters will move one place down.
Thus, RR look quite well-placed with their batting arsenal and expect some big performances from them this season.
Rajasthan Royals' Strongest Batting Order For IPL 2025
Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga
 "Aashay Chopade")
