Rajasthan Royals playing 11 is renowned for its young players. A team for young players to showcase their talent with a plethora of opportunities throughout the tournament. However, Rajasthan Royals seemed to have taken a U-turn with its strategy.
Rajasthan Royals stepped into mega auction 2022 with an unlike strategy in comparison to previous seasons. The team owners stacked an experienced playing 11 this time rather than a side full of young talented players. Nathan Coulter Nile, Ravi Ashwin, Yuzi Chahal, Trent Boult, James Neesham, Shimron Hetmyer were some of the significant names.
Khatam. Bye-bye. Tata. 👋😇 pic.twitter.com/7m4gXgxRZk
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) February 13, 2022
Here’s The Potential Playing 11 –
1) Jos Buttler (WK)
Jos the Boss has been the cynosure of all eyes as the team in the previous seasons were depended majorly on 4 players- Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, and Sanju Samson. Rajasthan Royals succeed to win their match when either of the four produces a match-winning performance. In 65 IPL matches, the batter has averaged above 35 with a strike of 150which depicts the threat to bowlers.
2) Devdutt Padikkal
The Bengaluru batter would be a part of the team’s playing 11. Devdutt Padikkal fetched a 7.75 crores deal with the franchise and would probably form the top order of the batting. A consistent player with above 30 average in 29 IPL games and a decent s125 strike rate for a steady start to the team.
3) Sanju Samson (C)
Sanju Samson has been appreciated a lot for his talent, however, he hasn’t been able to capitalize on his potential to the fullest. A batter who deals only in sixes has over 3000 IPL runs in 117 innings with 3 centuries to his name.
4) Yashaswi Jaiswal
The young India U-19 batter had a passable first IPL season as he managed to score 1 half-century in 13 games and maintained a solid 135 strike rate. This was enough to impress the management who believed in his capability and offered him retention. Therefore, we expect him in the starting XI but not in the top order.
5) Shimron Hetmyer
The West Indian power-hitter cost 8.5 crores to Rajasthan Royals. Though his average is passable but what matters in the death overs is the strike rate. He holds a strike rate over 150 which depicts he can smash the bowlers out of the cozily. He could be in Rajasthan Royals playing 11 as a finisher.
6) Riyan Parag
A 3.8 crores homecoming for Assam cricketer Riyan Parag. Although his stats don’t do justice to his talent that depicts why Rajasthan Royals bought him even at such a high price. Riyan Parag can swing his arms for bowling in the middle too. Therefore, making him a 3d player for the team.
7) James Neesham
The New Zealand cricketer flaunted his bowling skills in IPL 2021 and we all are aware of his batting ability through World Cup 2019 final. He would add on to the extra depth in batting and bowling, resulting in Rajasthan Royals being spoilt with alternatives.
8) Ravi Ashwin
Ravi Ashwin has been in the headlines for his appreciation by captain Rohit Sharma recently. The spinner has 145 wickets in his pockets and an economy below 7 in 167 matches. Thus, no headache of runs leaking for at least 4 overs bowled by Ravi Ashwin.
9) Trent Boult
Trent Boult has been the strike bowler for Mumbai Indians along with Jasprit Bumrah. He had the responsibility on his shoulder for breakthroughs in powerplay overs which has been a point of concern for Rajasthan Royals in past. If Trent Boult is available then he would surely be a part of the Rajasthan Royals playing 11 for his 76 wickets in 62 IPL matches.
10) Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzi Chahal is going through a rough phase of his life, as the leg spinner was excluded from T20i World Cup 2021 squad and further wasn’t retained by RCB. However, the shine hasn’t faded for the star who grabbed a 6.5 crores deal for his experience and 139 wickets in 114 IPL games.
11) Prasidh Krishna
The extravagant 10 crore deal for Prasidh Krishna by Rajasthan Royals was the highest by them for any player in IPL mega auction The bowler has been in limelight for his ODI performance against West Indies. Overall, he has 18 wickets in merely 7 ODI which shook the attention of every team management. His fiery pace would be lethal to the batter and a like-for-like replacement of Jofra Archer.
According to us, this would form a pretty solid playing 11 for Rajasthan Royals and put them the trophy contenders upfront.
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