Rajasthan's Mini-Auction Strategy: IPL 2023 Squad

Rajasthan Royals (Source: iplt20.com)

The inaugural champions of the Indian Premier League, Rajasthan Royals have since then  failed to perform upto the expectations. They have never played a single final after the first season and they will look to change it this time. 

Barring the first time, in case of auctions Royals have not been upto the mark. It has been their strategy to not go after big names in auctions but in absence of a leader like Shane Warne, they have been left wanting for players in different roles. 

This year, the Royals have released 8 of their players, amongst which are the big names of Daryl Mitchell and Rassie van der Dussen. 

Released Players of Rajasthan Royals

Released Players: Daryl Mitchell, Rassie van der Dussen, Anunay Singh, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jimmy Neesham, Corbin Borsch, Shubman Garhwal, Tejas Baroka, Karun Nair.

Purse Remaining: INR 13.2 Cr

Overseas Slots Remaining: 4

Moving forward let us take a look at what the team has at present. 

Openers: Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Yashasvi Jaiswal

Top Order batters: Sanju Samson, Dhurv Jurel

Lower Middle Order finisher: Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag

Pace Bowlers: Trent Boult, Kuldeep Sen, Navdeep Saini, Obed McCoy, Prasidh Krishna

Spin Bowlers: Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, KC Cariappa

From the players retained by Rajasthan Royals we can say that their bowling unit, especially the pace attack looks well sorted. They might want o pick up a back up spinner. 

But, Rajasthan Royals are in big need of a middle order grafter. Also they could do with a more consistent lower order enforcer as Riyan Parag has been a sort of 'once in a blue moon' kind of performer. This player that Rajasthan recruits could also be utility player for them with some overs with the ball in hand.

So, if the requirements of the Royals are kept in mind, then they can target the following players. 

Cameron Green

Cameron Green (Source: AP Newsroom)

Green has shown that he could bash any bowling in the shortest format of the game. He can genuinely be useful with the ball also. But in T20s Green has not yet been tested in the middle order. Having a bunch of openers already in the squad, RR might be in a dilemma about picking him up along with the price that he might go for. 

Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes (Source: AP Newsroom)

Ben Stokes has previously been a part of Rajasthan and the roles that they need to fill makes him a perfect fit. But once again the purse they have and the number of bids that Stokes will be getting during the auction might not be the most ideal scenario for the team management.

Jason Holder

Jason Holder (Source: Twitter)

Jason Holder is also a very good choice for the role that they are looking for. And Holder might fall in their price range.

Besides these names, there also some names that Rajasthan can go after, such as- Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd,Dominic Drakes, Chamika Karunaratne and Dasun Shanaka. Though they can look at Sam Curran, but there is a general feeling that Curran will go at a very high price and they don not have the purse to go after him. 

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