The Rajasthan Royals are entering a fresh cycle with a familiar face at the helm: Rahul Dravid. Back in a coaching role, his mission is clear – to guide the Royals to their second IPL title, replicating his success with the Indian team. He’s joined by batting coach Vikram Rathour, setting the stage for a strategic overhaul.
Despite retaining six players, the Royals have undergone significant changes. Key departures include Jos Buttler, their third-highest run-scorer, and the renowned spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin, along with pacer Trent Boult. However, the Royals have strategically addressed these gaps. They’ve bolstered their pace attack with promising Indian talents and the return of Jofra Archer, providing ample bowling options. The batting department, however, still carries concerns about depth and death-hitting capabilities. The spotlight will be on young Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the 13-year-old acquisition, to see how he fits into the team’s dynamics.
Squad Breakdown:
- Full Squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c/wk), Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Kunal Singh Rathore, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Madhwal, Sandeep Sharma, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Maheesh Theekshana, Ashok Sharma, Kumar Kartikeya, Kwena Maphaka, Yudhvir Singh.
- Projected Best XII: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c/wk), Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Shubham Dubey, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Madhwal/Sandeep Sharma, Fazalhaq Farooqi/Maheesh Theekshana.
Injury and Availability:
- Sanju Samson’s fitness is under scrutiny following a finger injury. While he’s passed batting fitness tests, NCA clearance is pending.
- Tushar Deshpande’s availability is also a concern, as he’s been sidelined since September 2024 due to ankle surgery.
Players to Watch:
- Nitish Rana: Seeking redemption, Rana aims to solidify his position after a challenging year. His performance will be crucial for his career trajectory.
- Dhruv Jurel: With immense potential, Jurel needs to consistently deliver. His retention at a significant price reflects the team’s faith in him. A breakout season could be transformative.
Season Outlook:
- The Royals face a demanding travel schedule, with limited extended stays at any venue.
- The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur offers a balanced playing field, with toss advantage proving negligible. However, pace bowlers have historically struggled at this venue.
- The spacing of the games is good, but the amount of travel will make fitness and player rotation very important.
The Royals’ success hinges on Dravid’s coaching prowess, the performance of key players like Jurel and Rana, and the effective utilization of their revamped bowling attack. They must address their batting depth to make a serious run for the title.
