Perhaps cricket admirers have not forgotten that Rajasthan Royals (RR) won the championship of the first IPL Championship held in 2008. It is also true that RR since then could not repeat that performance till the 13th edition of the IPL. In 2020 they finished at the bottom.
In 2021 the VIVO IPL 14 RR has formed a reasonably competitive unit. It has to be seen how far they can proceed, whether they can go into business round? The owners of the team are Lachian Murdoch, Manoj Badale, Shilpa Shetty, Amisha Hathiramani and Raj Kundra. Home venue is Sawal Mansingh Stadium. In 2021 unfortunately RR cannot play any match at its home venue. Ranjit Barthakur is the chairman of RR. For Bangladeshi Cricket Admirers would also closely follow the performance of RR as Mustafizur Rahman (The Fizz) would be one of their key players in 2021. Mustafiz in his debut season was a leading figure for Sun Risers Hyderabad. Taking 17 wickets he played the major role for them winning the championship. He was also adjudged the best emerging player of the tournament. Following that for injury he was out of action for a while. After his return he played in only another season for Mumbai Indians. But could not achieve much success. 2021 is going to be his 3rd season. Mustafiz could not play up to his reputation in the recently concluded New Zealand tour on pacey bouncy wickets. Off course Indian condition and wickets are different. RR has high hopes on Fizz.
RR Squad 2021:
Sanju Samson, Shvam Dube, Chris Morris, Mustafizur Rahman, Chtan Sokariya, KC Kariappa, Liam Livingstone, Akash Singh, Kuldip Yadav, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Riyan Parag, Jofra Archer, Mahipal Lamror, Manan Vohra, Kartik Tiyagi, David Miller, Andrew Tyye, Maynak Markande, Anuj Rawat, Yashavi Jaiswal, Shreas Gopal , Jaydev Unadkat and Rahul Tewatia
Despite of having several impact players – power hitters and all rounder RR lost their way midway through in each tournament following their success in the first. This year they released Australian superstar Steve Smith and entrusted the task of leading the team upon enterprising wicket keeper batsman Sanju Samson. Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Joss Butler, David Miller, Chris Morris, Mustafizur Rahman like quality foreign recruits can deliver muscle power. Some talented Indian youngster may also drive the dreams of RR. One of the issues may be that Jofra Archer is injured and may not be available for first half of the IPL. Mustafiz has also joined late and may not play the first two matches for quarantine requirements. But Chris Morris and Ben Stokes along with Unadkat can take care of the pace attack. The feature of RR this year may be how Sanju himself, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and David Miller contribute with the bat. In the absence of Jofra Archer, Mustafiz will get opportunities for few matches off course. Him and Morris would have to lead the attack along with Stokes, Off the foreign players four of the among Mustafiz, Morris, Stokes, Butler and Miller have to perform consistently for taking RR to dream destination.
The strength of the team rests upon quality all- rounder. In addition to the quality foreign players mentioned above all eyes would be focused Rahul Tawatia and Riayn Parag.
Maynak Markande, KC Cariappa, Shreyas Gopal and Rahul Tawatia would take care of the spin attack. But all four are wrist spinners. RR would miss finger spinner in 2021.
Apart from Archer, Morris, Mustafiz and Stokes RR in 2021 possess some talented young pacers in Kartik Tiyagi, Chetan Sakaria and Akash Singh. With Archer not available in the first part of the season it will very important how at least two of them perform. That would allow using one of the two Mustafiz and Morris and play Stokes, Butler and Miller to strengthen the batting. However, for consistent success local players must perform much better instead of depending exclusively upon foreign recruits.
Preferred First XI:
Jos Buttler, Rahul Taywatia, Sanju Samson ( C) , Rian Parag, Ben Stokes, David Miller, Chris Morris/ Mustafizur Rahman / Jofra Archer, Shivam Dube, KC Cariappa/ Shreyas Gopal, Kartik Tiyagi, Jaydev Unadkat/ Akash Singh.
It may be mentioned here that a team can play a maximum of 4 foreign players in one match. The real dilemma would be playing one between David Miller and Ben Stokes when Archer gets back. RR may be tempted playing Archer and either Morris or Mustafiz going with him. For team combination Butler would play.
RR purchased Chris Morris at Indian Rupee 16.25 Crores.
RR in 2021 has horses for the courses. Any among Butler, Stokes, Miller , Morris . Archer, Samson can win match individually. Who knows whether any of the talented young Indians may also appear with match winning performance?
BDST: 1247 HRS, APR 07, 2021
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