IPL 2021: Six benched overseas players that Rajasthan Royals should look to loan

With injuries to Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, and the pulling out of Liam Livingstone and Andrew Tye, Rajasthan Royals’ overseas line-up has been reduced to just four players less than a month into IPL 2021. With reports that the side has been reaching out to other franchises to fill in the vacant spots, the existing four  – Jos Buttler, David Miller, Chris Morris and Mustafizur Rahman – could soon have company.

Here are six players who have been surpluses for other teams so far, and would be good options to join the RR camp instead.

Here’s the complete IPL 2021 schedule, along with TV and live streaming details.

Mohammad Nabi (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

The first-ever Afghanistan player to be selected in the IPL has played just two games in the competition across the last two seasons. Most teams would love to have him as one of their spin all-round options, but Nabi has been hard done by the surplus of overseas options at SRH. At RR, though, Nabi could help fix a dodgy middle order in need of some fast-paced batting, and can also be the point of difference in an attack that has been dominated by its medium pacers (their spinners have picked up just two wickets combined).

James Neesham (Mumbai Indians)

Neesham’s canny medium pace and lower-order batting muscle is a handy package to have in any team, but Mumbai Indians’ well-settled combination hasn’t required his services so far. In Ben Stokes’ absence, Neesham could be a useful inclusion; while he might not possess the same reputation as the English all-rounder, he can help fix their middle-order problems, while also proving to be an additional seam option in the middle overs.

Sam Billings (Delhi Capitals)

In a Delhi line-up that is filled with heavyweights, Billings, known for his creative batting approach and versatility, is yet to find a place in the playing XI. At RR, a side struggling for batting consistency, Billings’ experience of 187 T20s will provide much-needed solidity. With Sanju Samson and Jos Buttler being the only two wicketkeepers, Billings also provides a backup keeping option.

Dawid Malan (Punjab Kings)

With Punjab’s overseas slots largely settled, Malan, the No.1 T20I batsman in the world, has spent the first three weeks of his IPL career waiting for a game. A team that is filled with T20 power-hitters is probably lacking some stability, and Malan’s inclusion in their batting could lend them balance. As he has shown for England, Malan’s flexibility helps him move up and down the order, and he can always occupy his preferred opening spot if RR needs more stability in the powerplay along with Jos Buttler.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

In Jofra Archer’s absence, RR are lacking a specialist impact-creator in the powerplay, an option they could fill by the inclusion of the young Mujeeb. An attacking bowler who is difficult to get away in the first six overs (and beyond), Mujeeb could help add more firepower to a spin attack that has so far only relied on Indian domestic players Shreyas Gopal and Rahul Tewatia, as well as part-timer Riyan Parag. He’s the only player on the list who has played at least one game, finishing with figures of 2-29 against Mumbai.

Jason Roy (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

When Roy was called in as a replacement for Mitchell Marsh, not many could understand SRH’s reasoning behind adding another opener. In David Warner and Jonny Bairstow, they already have an enviable opening pair, and Roy has spent the first five matches (including one in quarantine) waiting for game time. At RR, he could make a dream pairing with Jos Buttler, and give them the sort of blazing starts they have been so desperate for.