Rajasthan Royals Squad and Schedule...be ready for back to back thrilling action

Table of Contents

Introduction

Rajasthan Royals
Captain: Sanju Samson
Coach: Kumar Sangakkara
Home ground: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
IPL titles: 1 (2008)
Owners: The Royals Sports Group

Rajasthan Royals, often abbreviated as RR, represent a professional franchise cricket team hailing from Jaipur, Rajasthan, and are a prominent participant in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Established in 2008 as one of the original eight IPL franchises, the team calls the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur its home ground. Renowned for their knack for discovering hidden talent with immense potential, the Royals have garnered a reputation for unearthing obscure yet promising players.

Under the astute leadership of Shane Warne, the Royals clinched the title in the inaugural edition of the IPL, defying expectations of pundits and fans alike. Additionally, they reached the final of the 2013 Champions League Twenty20 under the captaincy of Rahul Dravid. In the 2022 Indian Premier League, under the helm of Sanju Samson and the guidance of Kumar Sangakkara, the Royals made it to the finals once again.

However, the franchise faced a setback on 14 July 2015 when a panel appointed by the Supreme Court of India suspended both Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings for two years due to their involvement in a 2013 betting scandal. Consequently, they were unable to participate in the 2016 and 2017 IPL tournaments, returning only for the 2018 season.

Sanju Samson holds the distinction of being the team’s highest run-scorer with 3403 runs, while Shane Watson leads the bowling charts with 67 wickets to his name.

Rajasthan Royals Squad

BATTERS

1. Sanju Samson:
– Wicketkeeper Batter
– Age: 29 years
– Batting: Right hand Bat
– Description: Sanju Samson, the captain of the team, is a dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman known for his explosive strokeplay and ability to anchor the innings. He brings leadership and experience to the batting lineup.

2. Jos Buttler:
– Wicketkeeper Batter
– Age: 33 years
– Batting: Right hand Bat
– Description: Jos Buttler, a seasoned campaigner in T20 cricket, is a destructive wicketkeeper-batsman known for his ability to score quick runs at the top of the order. His aggressive batting style and versatility make him a valuable asset for the team.

3. SB Dubey (Shubham Dubey):
– Middle order Batter
– Age: 29 years
– Batting: Left hand Bat
– Bowling: Right arm Offbreak
– Description: Shubham Dubey is a solid middle-order batsman known for his ability to stabilize the innings and rotate the strike. His left-handed batting adds variety to the batting lineup, while his off-spin bowling provides an additional option for the team.

4. Hetmeyer (Shimron Hetmyer):
– Top order Batter
– Age: 27 years
– Batting: Left hand Bat
– Description: Shimron Hetmyer, a dynamic left-handed batsman, is known for his aggressive strokeplay and ability to score quick runs in the top order. His ability to take on the bowlers from the outset makes him a dangerous batsman in the powerplay overs.

5. Yashasvi Jaiswal:
– Opening Batter
– Age: 22 years
– Batting: Left hand Bat
– Bowling: Legbreak
– Description: Yashasvi Jaiswal is a talented young opener known for his elegant strokeplay and ability to build innings. His left-handed batting and adeptness against spin make him a promising prospect for the team’s future.

6. Dhruv Jurel:
– Wicketkeeper Batter
– Age: 23 years
– Batting: Right hand Bat
– Description: Dhruv Jurel is a promising young wicketkeeper-batsman known for his solid technique and temperament. He provides depth to the batting lineup and adds stability to the middle order with his ability to build partnerships.

7. Tom Kohler-Cadmore:
– Wicketkeeper Batter
– Age: 30 years
– Batting: Right hand Bat
– Bowling: Right arm Offbreak
– Description: Tom Kohler-Cadmore is a versatile wicketkeeper-batsman known for his aggressive batting style and ability to accelerate the scoring rate in the middle overs. His off-spin bowling adds an extra dimension to his game, making him a valuable asset for the team.

8. Riyan Parag:
– Top order Batter
– Age: 22 years
– Batting: Right hand Bat
– Bowling: Legbreak
– Description: Riyan Parag is a talented young batsman known for his ability to play innovative shots and manipulate the field. His aggressive approach in the top order adds impetus to the innings and puts pressure on the opposition bowlers.

9. Rovman Powell:
– Middle order Batter
– Age: 30 years
– Batting: Right hand Bat
– Bowling: Right arm Medium fast
– Description: Rovman Powell is a hard-hitting middle-order batsman known for his ability to clear the boundaries with ease. His aggressive batting style and versatility in the lower middle order make him a valuable asset for the team in finishing the innings.

10. KS Rathore (Kunal Singh Rathore):
– Wicketkeeper Batter
– Age: 21 years
– Batting: Left hand Bat
– Description: Kunal Singh Rathore is a young and promising wicketkeeper-batsman known for his aggressive strokeplay and ability to score quick runs. He adds depth to the batting lineup and provides a left-handed option in the middle order.

ALLROUNDERS

1. Abid Mushtaq:
– Allrounder
– Age: 27 years
– Batting: Left hand Bat
– Bowling: Slow Left arm Orthodox
– Description: Abid Mushtaq is a talented all-rounder known for his explosive batting and handy left-arm orthodox bowling. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball adds balance to the team and provides flexibility in team selection.

2. Ravichandran Ashwin:
– Bowling Allrounder
– Age: 37 years
– Batting: Right hand Bat
– Bowling: Right arm Offbreak
– Description: Ravichandran Ashwin is a seasoned bowling all-rounder known for his guile and control with the ball. His ability to bowl economical spells and pick up crucial wickets in the middle overs makes him a key asset for the team.

3. Donovan Ferreira:
– Allrounder
– Age: 25 years
– Batting: Right hand Bat
– Bowling: Right arm Offbreak
– Description: Donovan Ferreira is an all-round cricketer known for his aggressive batting style and useful off-spin bowling. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball adds depth to the team and provides options for the captain in various match situations.

4. Tanush Kotian:
– Bowling Allrounder
– Age: 25 years
– Batting: Right hand Bat
– Bowling: Right arm Offbreak
– Description: Tanush Kotian is a talented bowling all-rounder known for his ability to bowl tight spells and pick up crucial wickets with his off-spin bowling. His handy contributions with the bat lower down the order make him a valuable asset for the team.

BOWLERS

1. Avesh Khan:
– Bowler
– Age: 27 years
– Batting: Right hand Bat
– Bowling: Right arm Fast medium
– Description: Avesh Khan is a fast-medium bowler known for his ability to generate pace and bounce. His accurate line and length make him a potent threat for the opposition batsmen, especially in the powerplay overs.

2. Trent Boult:
– Bowler
– Age: 34 years
– Batting: Right hand Bat
– Bowling: Left arm Fast medium
– Description: Trent Boult is a seasoned left-arm fast-medium bowler known for his ability to swing the new ball and pick up early wickets. His yorkers and variations in pace make him a lethal bowler in the death overs.

3. Nandre Burger:
– Bowler
– Age: 28 years
– Batting: Left hand Bat
– Bowling: Left arm Fast medium
– Description: Nandre Burger is a left-arm fast-medium bowler known for his ability to extract bounce and movement off the pitch. His accuracy and ability to bowl consistent lines and lengths make him a valuable asset for the team in building pressure on the opposition batsmen.

4. Yuzvendra Chahal:
– Bowler
– Age: 33 years
– Batting: Right hand Bat
– Bowling: Legbreak Googly
– Description: Yuzvendra Chahal is a skilled leg-spinner known for his deceptive variations and ability to fox the batsmen with his googlies. His knack for picking up crucial wickets in the middle overs makes him a key bowler for the team.

5. Navdeep Saini:
– Bowler
– Age: 31 years
– Batting: Right hand Bat
– Bowling: Right arm Fast
– Description: Navdeep Saini is a fast bowler known for his raw pace and aggressive bowling. His ability to generate bounce and extract movement off the pitch makes him a potent threat for the opposition batsmen, especially in seaming conditions.

6. Sandeep Sharma:
– Bowler
– Age: 30 years
– Batting: Right hand Bat
– Bowling: Right arm Medium
– Description: Sandeep Sharma is a medium-fast bowler known for his ability to swing the ball both ways. His accuracy and control make him a reliable option for the team, particularly in the powerplay overs.

7. Kuldeep Sen:
– Bowler
– Age: 27 years
– Batting: Right hand Bat
– Bowling: Right arm Fast
– Description: Kuldeep Sen is a fast bowler known for his pace and aggression. His ability to generate bounce and extract movement off the pitch makes him a potent threat for the opposition batsmen, especially on lively tracks.

History

Franchise Origins:
The inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in September 2007, envisioning a dynamic Twenty20 tournament set to debut in 2008. Among the original eight teams enlisted for the inaugural IPL season was the Rajasthan Royals. The Jaipur-based franchise was acquired by Emerging Media for $67 million, marking it as the most cost-effective team within the league.

Present Ownership:
As of 2024, the franchise is under the ownership of Royals Sports Group, led by Manoj Badale, with a controlling stake of 65%. Notable minority stakeholders include Lachlan Murdoch and RedBird Capital Partners. Despite a few ownership controversies in the past, which led to a temporary expulsion from the league in 2010, the franchise has sustained its presence. Notably, in 2009, the team reported a pre-tax profit of $7.5 million, reflecting its financial viability and success within the league.

Previous Seasons

2008 IPL Season:
Despite low expectations, Rajasthan Royals surprised by winning their inaugural IPL season under the captaincy of Shane Warne. Shane Watson’s stellar all-round performance earned him the Player of the Tournament title.

2009 IPL Season:
Facing setbacks with key players unavailable, the defending champions struggled, finishing 6th in the league. Sohail Tanvir’s absence and inconsistent performances led to a disappointing season.

2010 IPL Season:
Although they started with promise, highlighted by Yusuf Pathan’s record-breaking century, the Royals faltered, finishing 7th. Inconsistency plagued their campaign, despite individual brilliance.

2011 IPL Season:
The Royals faced off-field challenges with ownership issues, affecting their performance. Despite retaining Shane Warne and Shane Watson, they struggled and finished 6th.

2012 IPL Season:
Rajasthan Royals finished 7th, unable to find their rhythm throughout the tournament. Despite flashes of brilliance, they failed to secure consistent victories.

2013 IPL Season:
Qualifying for the playoffs, the Royals reached the Champions League Twenty20 but faltered against Mumbai Indians. Shane Watson’s exceptional performance earned him the Player of the Tournament title.

2014 IPL Season:
Despite retaining key players, including Shane Watson and James Faulkner, the Royals failed to make an impact, finishing mid-table.

2015 IPL Season:
Qualifying for the playoffs, the Royals suffered elimination at the hands of Royal Challengers Bangalore, ending their campaign.

2018 IPL Season:
After a two-year suspension, the Royals returned, facing controversy with Steve Smith’s ban. Despite Jos Buttler’s impressive performances, they bowed out in the playoffs.

2019 IPL Season:
Despite a change in leadership to Steve Smith mid-season, the Royals failed to reach the playoffs, ending with a disappointing campaign.

2020 IPL Season:
Struggling with consistency, the Royals finished at the bottom of the points table. Jofra Archer’s stellar performance was a lone bright spot in an otherwise forgettable season.

2021 IPL Season:
Under new captain Sanju Samson, the Royals aimed for a fresh start but failed to make an impact, finishing outside the playoffs.

2022 IPL Season:
Retaining key players, the Royals enjoyed success, reaching the final but losing to Gujarat Titans. Jos Buttler’s exceptional form earned him the MVP award.

2023 IPL Season:
Despite a strong start, inconsistency plagued the Royals, finishing 5th in the league. Yashasvi Jaiswal emerged as a standout performer, winning the Emerging Player of the Season award.