Did RR Commit A Blunder By Promoting Hasaranga Over Jurel And Hetmyer Vs KKR In IPL 2025?

Hasaranga in action (Source: Screeengrab from JioStar)

There have been some bizarre decisions in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 but none bigger than what the Rajasthan Royals committed during the clash against Kolkata Knight Riders. They made a tactical blunder and it could cost them the match as the KKR side capitalised on it.

The RR side after a decent start lost a flurry of wickets and eyebrows were raised when Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga, who was making his RR debut got promoted to bat at number 5 over other specialist batters.

Why RR made a huge mistake with Hasaranga

When Yashasvi Jaiswal departed, many expected the in form Dhruv Jurel to come in at number 5. Jurel did well against SRH and looked threatening in that game. However, RR decided to sent in Hasaranga, and the move failed miserably.

The all-rounder was dismissed for just 4 as Varun Chakaravarthy struck and sent him back to the pavilion. This was a mistake because the side had Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer, two prominent batters in the dugout, and yet, an all-rounder who hasn't proven his worth with the bat was promoted over them.

In 26 matches in IPL, Wanindu Hasaranga has only scored 72 runs, with an average of 7.2 and a strike-rate less than hundred. He is more of a bowling all-rounder rather than a batter and yet RR made a huge blunder by sending him up. Hetmyer also looked good against SRH and would have made a huge difference against KKR spinners.

At the moment, RR are fighting hard with Hetmyer coming down at number 6, well below his usual batting order.

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