The Rajasthan Royals, the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, are back with a vengeance after their best season since that historic win. Bolstered by a formidable squad and shrewd decisions at the 2022 auction table, the Royals are prepared to go all the way this year.
Key Players and New Additions
The team’s recent success has been driven by the explosive batting prowess of Jos Buttler and the formidable spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin. Despite some gaps in the squad, the tactical acumen of the think tank and Ashwin’s versatility with both bat and ball have kept the team on course.
Sanju Samson’s calm and astute leadership has been another driving force behind the Royals’ resurgence. Returning to their home base at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur should further boost their confidence. The large dimensions and generally sluggish tracks of the stadium suit their playing style, though dew could be a significant factor in their strategies.
Addressing the Gaps
The Royals strengthened their squad in the mini-auction, addressing their need for a genuine all-rounder by adding Jason Holder. They also acquired Adam Zampa and Murugan Ashwin to bolster their spin arsenal, while Joe Root and Donovan Ferreira were budget-friendly additions. Notable domestic value purchases included KM Asif, whose raw pace adds another dimension to the bowling options.
Player to Watch: Riyan Parag
Riyan Parag has been in phenomenal form in domestic white-ball cricket, carrying Assam forward with his explosive batting style. The talented 21-year-old has matured, and if he can translate his domestic form into the IPL, Parag is set for a breakout season.
Injury Updates and Availability
The Royals have no availability issues regarding their overseas players. Prasidh Krishna’s injury is a blow, but the experienced Sandeep Sharma has been roped in as a replacement.
Possible XI and Impact Player Tactics
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, Devdutt Padikkal, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma/Navdeep Saini/Kuldeep Sen
With several options to explore for impact players, the Royals could consider adding Murugan Ashwin or KC Cariappa to the Chahal-Ashwin combo as the pitches tire. In the initial games, the Royals may opt to strengthen their pace attack with Obed McCoy when needed. The form of Samson and Parag will be critical, as they’ll need to start with one less overseas player if they want to bring in a foreign impact player.