An in-depth preview of Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of the IPL 2024 auction including their strengths, weaknesses, purse remaining, players to target and more.

Rajasthan Royals are one of the under-achievers in the IPL, having failed to add to their tally of trophy wins since their 2008 triumph. Having backed domestic stars over the years, Rajasthan are currently led by Sanju Samson and finished fifth on the points table in 2023. 

Rajasthan Royals IPL 2024 auction preview: Trades, full squad, purse & slots remaining

Trades

Rajasthan Royals became the first team to complete a trade when they got in Lucknow Super Giants’ Avesh Khan for Devdutt Padikkal. Both players were exchanged for their existing fees. 

Players released

Devdutt Padikkal (traded), Joe Root, Jason Holder, KC Cariappa, Murugan Ashwin, Abdul Basith, Akash Vashisht, Obed McCoy, KM Asif, Kuldip Yadav.

Squad before auction

Sanju Samson (c), Jos Buttler, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Donovan Ferreira, Kunal Rathore, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Sen, Navdeep Saini, Prasidh Krishna, Sandeep Sharma, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Adam Zampa, Avesh Khan (from LSG).

Purse remaining (in INR)

14.5 crore

Slots remaining

8 (3 overseas)

Rajasthan Royals IPL 2024 auction preview: Strengths

A lethal opening pair

Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal are two of the finest hitters in the IPL. RR had a strike rate of 148.21 in the powerplay overs in the 2023 season, with the number boosted by Jaiswal’s strike rate of 175.24. Though Buttler was not at his finest in the previous edition, if he unleashes himself, other teams will have a tough task stopping the duo. 

An enviable spin attack

Rajasthan have R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal and Adam Zampa as their three spinners, allowing them to experiment with their XI according to conditions and match-ups. While Chahal is the leading wicket-taker in the IPL, Ashwin is more often than not, economical. Zampa has also excelled in Indian conditions, and RR have the luxury of 12 overs of world-class spin when the wickets are on the slower side. 

Exciting Indian youngsters

At Rajasthan’s core are Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag and Kuldeep Sen, all of whom are vastly talented. Jaiswal has already emerged as India’s next-generation all-format star, while Parag has been making waves in the domestic scene and will be eager to perform in the IPL too. Sen and Jurel have earned plenty of praise for their performances under pressure in the past and they will be the faces of RR going forward.

Rajasthan Royals IPL 2024 auction preview: Weaknesses

Lack of all-rounders

Jason Holder was RR’s only international all-rounder in 2023, and his release leaves a void. Parag is yet to perform in the IPL and the team lacks a player who could balance out the XI. 

Lack of back-ups to Trent Boult

Boult’s first-over heroics fell flat for Royals in 2023 because of the lack of sting in the fast bowling department. Boult had little help from the other end, with every other pacer going for more than 8.5 runs an over in 2023. Only Boult and Sandeep Sharma played more than 10 matches among pacers last year, showing how unsettled the unit was.

Rajasthan Royals IPL 2024 auction preview: Potential first XI

Potential first XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, R Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal

Impact player: Adam Zampa

Rajasthan Royals IPL 2024 auction preview: Players to target

Overseas big hitter: RR’s struggles last year rose from an inconsistent middle order, with the young Indian players unable to translate their potential to performances. Harry Brook and Rovman Powell could be the two players they target to fill in the gaps. 

All-rounders: Though the Impact Players rule has lessened the need for all-rounders, having too many in the line-up is always an advantage. Rajasthan should go for Daryl Mitchell and could also target Shardul Thakur. 

Overseas fast bowler: The franchise will be interested in Chris Woakes, who could also boost the lower middle-order. 

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