Updated: September 22, 2020 11:26:41 am
With a variety of talented players available on the team, the inaugural season winners will have to choose the team judicially. (PROCEEDINGS)
Can the Royals win it?
If the exciting young local players work in sync with their foreign superstars, it could end more than a decade of drought for the Rajasthan Royals.
What can work for them?
The team’s engine room is made up of foreigners such as Captain Steve Smith, Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer and David Miller. They also have talented young players from the home front in U19 stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag and Kartik Tyagi interspersed with seasoned Sanju Samson and Shreyas Gopal. It is this fusion of talents that is undoubtedly the strength of the Royals.
Smith as captain, elevated in the middle of the course of last season, will give them a fresh and original perspective that can help them get through tough times.
Where can they falter?
There’s a question mark on the availability of the world-class Ben Stokes off-roader. The main SUV is currently in Christchurch with his father, who was diagnosed with brain cancer. Stokes is set to lose most of the IPL. “The franchise won’t even call Ben, as this is not a priority right now. Let him spend quality family time and any discussion about his availability can only happen after that, ”a team source told PTI.
RR IPL 2020 Team Player List: Rajasthan Royals Full Squad, Player List
Given his vast experience and the ability to turn the fortunes of a game through his hitting, bowling or fielding, Stokes’ absence would be a huge blow to the Royals.
They will think of
Playing Samson as a starter: The Kerala goalkeeper had hit No. 3 last season, a position in which he had scored a joyous century against Sunrisers Hyderabad. One of his biggest problems with Samson has been his low conversion rate. In the absence of Ajinkya Rahane, team management could simply ask him to open the innings with Jos Buttler. With two explosive openers up front, no total will seem inconceivable and no goal unreachable. This elevation could also help Samson improve his game and deliver more match-winning shots.
Who is the new kid in class?
With 213 runs from 10 games, David Miller’s previous season with the Kings XI Punjab barely attracted attention. The South African was picked up by the Royals for 75 lakh rupees this year. While his 100 of 38 balls against the Royal Challengers Bangalore seven years ago underscored his prowess in the IPL, a new franchise and a new venue could help Miller do his thing. In the absence of Stokes, he becomes the mid-tier mainstay of the Royals.
The return of Steve Smith. 💗#RRvCSK | #HallaBol | #RealFamily | # Dream11IPL | @ stevesmith49 pic.twitter.com/Od89CQ1UAn
– Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) September 22, 2020
I heard from this newbie
Yashasvi Jaiswal is only 18 years old, but he is already being touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket. There is a sense of maturity and calm in his hitting that belies his age. Jaiswal scored more than 400 runs in five half centuries at the ICC U19 World Cup earlier this year. The teenager is set to make his IPL debut this season, and his presence gives the Royals the stability they need at the top of the order.
Cricket quotient
Winners: 2008.
Last 5 years: 4, suspended, suspended, 4, 7
Quarantine ratio: low
Average age: 25 (Playing XI 27)
Total experience: 1674 T20 games
(Calculated on the assumption that age and experience help cope with COVID-19 restrictions)
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