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"Shouldn't Have Bought Suryavanshi" Ex-CSK Opener's Bold Remark After RR's IPL 2025 Exit

Soumyajit Dutta

Vaibhav Suryavanshi [Source: @was_kohlify/X]Vaibhav Suryavanshi [Source: @was_kohlify/X]

Rajasthan Royals (RR) crashed out of IPL 2025 playoff contention following a 100-run loss to Mumbai Indians (MI) in Jaipur. Their bowling crisis deepened with Sandeep Sharma and Wanindu Hasaranga sidelined, as MI posted 217/2 after being asked to bat first. 

This marked RR’s third consecutive match conceding 200+ totals, having previously leaked heavy runs against Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Ex-CSK Player Abhinav Mukund raised his fingers on RR's auction approach after RR's defeat.

Mukund Criticizes RR’s Auction Strategy

The absence of key bowlers forced RR to rely on makeshift options like Tushar Deshpande, Yudhvir Singh, and Akash Madhwal, who struggled against MI’s batting onslaught. Former CSK batter Abhinav Mukund slammed RR’s auction approach, questioning their focus on batters over bowlers.

"Their one good bowler, the one they have spent most money on, is Archer. Unfortunately, their Indian pick did not go well. Tushar Deshpande, who was benched for this particular game, was bought for a lot of money (INR 6.75 crore). Then again, you had three plus one something that you invested in two more Indian batters, Nitish Rana and Vaibhav Suryavanshi," said Mukund.

"How much ever I think, I would have still not bought Vaibhav Suryavanshi for INR 1.1 crore, and Nitish Rana for INR 3 crore (INR 4.2 crore). I would have invested that money in a couple of good bowlers. Look at their bowling last year, forget the big names, you still got Avesh Khan, Chahal, Ashwin, Trent Boult, and Sandeep Sharma, these are five bankable proper bowlers," added Mukund.

RR’s bowling lacked depth, with inexperienced local spinners like Kumar Kartikeya and part-timer Riyan Parag failing to stabilize the attack. Over-reliance on overseas duo Theekshana and Hasaranga further disrupted team balance.

Suryavanshi’s Struggles Add to Woes

The 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi thrust into the lineup after Sanju Samson’s injury, scored a two-ball duck against MI. Despite a flashy century against GT earlier, his dismissal in the powerplay compounded RR’s chase woes. The franchise’s gamble on young batters over proven bowlers has drawn sharp criticism as their playoff hopes unravelled.