IPL 2020: Strengths and Weaknesses of Rajasthan Royals (RR)

Overseas fire-power, the highlight as we look at the strengths and weakness(es) of Rajasthan Royals (RR) for IPL 2020.

After their maiden triumph in IPL 2008, Rajasthan Royals have had 9 years of trophy-less barren land. In fact, they have finished in top-4 on only 3 occasions, viz., 2013, 2015, and 2018. After their resurrection in 2018, they did good finishing fourth, but followed up with another disappointing performance finishing seventh in IPL 2019.

Not that they have not had a good squad over the years. But, it is more to do with the hit and miss strategy of focusing on inexperienced players, value for money players, leadership changes, lack of match-winners, etc., that hasn’t allowed them to be the force they could have been. 

Come to 2020, Rajasthan Royals do have some brilliant players. They ramped up their line-up by adding the overseas firepower of Tom Curran, David Miller, Andrew Tye, and Indian firepower of Robin Uthappa, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kartik Tyagi, etc. 

So, looking at all the things, have the Rajasthan Royals finally got the squad to have a shot at their second trophy? Let’s analyze the squad, and look at the strengths and weakness(es) of Rajasthan Royals (RR) for IPL 2020. 

Rajasthan Royals (RR) final squad for IPL 2020: 

Batsmen	Anuj Rawat (WK), David Miller, Jos Buttler (WK), Manan Vohra, Riyan Parag, Robin Uthappa, Sanju Samson (WK), Shashank Singh, Steve Smith, and Yashasvi Jaiswal
All-rounders	Anirudha Joshi, Ben Stokes, Mahipal Lomrar, and Tom Curran
Bowlers	Akash Singh, Andrew Tye, Ankit Rajpoot, Jaydev Unadkat, Jofra Archer, Kartik Tyagi, Mayank Markhande, Rahul Tewatia, Shreyas Gopal, Oshane Thomas, and Varun Aaron

Strengths of Rajasthan Royals (RR) for IPL 2020:

#1: The Overseas Firepower 

Rajasthan Royals are one of the only few teams that are over-reliant on their overseas players more than their Indian players, and there’s nothing wrong in hiding this fact.

The likes of Jos Buttler, Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, and Jofra Archer are true match-winners. Having them in the squad would naturally drive more attention towards them then the rest of the squad where Robin Uthappa and Sanju Samson are the only established Indian players.

While this may loosen up a few ends for RR, it actually solves a big selection headache as each player fits the bill perfectly. Jos Buttler at the top, Steve Smith in the middle-order, Ben Stokes as the finisher all-rounder, and Jofra Archer as the pace spearhead. 

#2: Plenty of Pace Options 

Rajasthan Royals have as many as 8 pace options in their squad; the most any team have in their squad. Even the pace heavy SRH, KKR, and MI have only 7 pacers in their squad. There’s definitely a  question of quantity over quality here as most of the pacers are either inexperienced or haven’t performed to the potential in the last few years. 

While Jofra Archer would lead the pace attack for RR, the under-performing Jayadev Unadkat and Ankit Rajpoot/ Varun Aaron would lead the pace duties along with him. The overseas pacers, Andrew Tye, and Oshane Thomas provide for superb backup options along with the U19 talented speedsters, Kartik Tyagi and Akash Singh. 

Weakness(es) of Rajasthan Royals (RR) for IPL 2020:

While Rajasthan Royals do have some solid strengths in their armory, they do have a couple of weaknesses that could cause a hurdle in IPL 2020. 

#1: Lack of Good Indian All-rounders 

Rajasthan Royals have two solid overseas all-rounders in the form of Ben Stokes and Tom Curran. If not both, at least one would definitely make it to the playing 11 with Stokes getting the priority. But, what about the Indian all-rounders? 

Rajasthan Royals looked reluctant to invest in Indian all-rounders, which left them with inexperienced all-rounders like Anirudha Joshi and Mahipal Lomror. Not to forget the part-time all-rounders like Riyan Parag and Yashasvi Jaiswal. 

This is a big gap to fill, and it may haunt the Rajasthan Royals squad when the need for the sixth bowler or the batting depth arises. At this moment, Riyan Parag looks certain to play at 6 with his part-time offies followed by either Lomror or another batsman. 

#2: Lack of Variety in Spin Bowling 

Rajasthan Royals have not one, not two, not three but four leggies in the side along with the left-arm spin of Mahipal Lomror. The only offie in their side is the part-timer, Riyan Parag, and it was quite surprising that they let go of the attacking all-rounder, Krishnappa Gowtham. 

The challenge would be visible when these bowlers bowl to lefties where wrong-ones don’t add much value, and the ball coming in is easily deposited in the stands. That’s when they would have to reply on a pacer or the off-spin of Riyan Parag. 

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, Rajasthan Royals have a fairly decent squad with a couple of weaknesses that may hamper their chances. However, the squad still looks potent enough to enter the play-offs if not winning the trophy. 

Rajasthan Royals (RR) strongest predicted playing 11 for IPL 2020:

Jos Buttler (WK), Robin Uthappa, Sanju Samson, Steve Smith (C), Ben Stokes, Riyan Parag, Mahipal Lomrar, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer, Mayank Markhande, and Jaydev Unadkat. 

Thanks for reading! What is it that you like the most in Rajasthan Royals? Please, let’s know in the comments. 

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ALSO READ: IPL 2020 Special: Predicted Playing XI of Rajasthan Royals (RR)

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