The TATA IPL 2023 fever has started to settle in. The buzz around the tournament is increasing day by day. Talking about the Royals, they are one team that made an early impact on the league and then went dormant for many seasons. In the TATA IPL 2022, they came back to rise and ended as runners-up. But when do they have another dream season? Will Sanju Samson and his men manage to take the final step and get their hands on the title? Here is a look:
Strengths of the Rajasthan Royals:
The strength of the Rajasthan Royals is in the top 4. These batters are polished and are international-level batters. Jos Butler is the biggest name among them but the other three are top domestic Indian batters. Devdutt Padikkal may have had a decent domestic season but that doesn’t overshadow his class. If the opposition wants to stand a chance in front of them, they have to find a way to deal with the top 4.
Their bowling is the best in the TATA IPL 2023 on paper. They have experience and youth together. The spin combination of Ashwin and Chahal looked good but they have managed to get Zampa in the mix too.
Weakness of the Rajasthan Royals:
There are no evident weaknesses in the team. But they do not have a big all-rounder who is known to finish games. Mumbai had Kieron Pollard and now has Tim David, Punjab Kings have Sam Curran, the Knight Riders have Russell and the Gujarat Titans have Hardik Pandya in TATA IPL 2023. The Royals do not have such a player. They will have to give them opportunities to Holder to check if he fits this bill. Last season they had James Neesham as an option.
Opportunities for the Rajasthan Royals in TATA IPL 2023:
There are many opportunities. The Indian team is looking for left-handed openers. Ishan Kishan is having a rough patch in T20Is and the spot is always going to be open as the team likes to evolve. So, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal, both can audition for that position. Another opportunity for Sanju Samson to get some game time after recovery and before coming to international cricket.
Threats for the Rajasthan Royals in TATA IPL 2023:
There are not many threats as such. Their team has backup options too. But their backups don’t look that effective. If Butler is unfortunately injured, they will have to play Joe Root. Will Root be an ideal replacement in T20 cricket? Also, they might have to manage Butler’s workload as he will be playing the Ashes post the TATA IPL 2023. They can have a problem of plenty in bowling. And “too many cooks spoil the broth.” They have to choose between top domestic pacers like Krishna, Kuldeep Sen, and Navdeep Saini.
The Squad of the Rajasthan Royals for the TATA IPL 2023:
Sanju Samson (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, Devdutt Padikkal, Jos Buttler, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Prasidh Krishna, Trent Boult, Obed McCoy, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Sen, Kuldip Yadav, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, KC Cariappa, Jason Holder, Donovan Ferreira, Kunal Rathore, Adam Zampa, KM Asif, Murugan Ashwin, Akash Vashisht, Abdul P A, Joe Root.
Expected Playing XI:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Butler (WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, R Ashwin, Prasidh Krishna, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult.
Schedule of the Rajasthan Royals:
The schedule of the TATA IPL 2023 is yet to be released. Hence the precise schedule of the Rajasthan Royals hasn’t been formed.
Predictions for the Rajasthan Royals in TATA IPL 2023:
The prediction is that the team may end at number 6 or number 5 in the table. They have a squad that has the potential to win the league. But they may not click together as a team. This has been the case with the Rajasthan Royals post the inaugural season. The team chemistry is absent. If the management works on building that family feeling or bond, things may change. Ravi Ashwin will be the leading wicket-taker and Sanju Samson will score the most runs for the Rajasthan Royals.
X-Factor Players:
Trent Boult hasn’t played much in India as he has been left out of the central contract of New Zealand cricket. But there aren’t many left-arm pacers better than him. He has moved to free-lance cricket and that has added immense value to his resume. The experience that he has taken in the past year is invaluable. He will bother the right-handed openers. Another X-Factor player who will go under the radar is Shimron Hetmyer. He is the finisher for the team and bats with a strike rate of 192 in the last 5 overs.
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To know more go to the official website of the Rajasthan Royals.