IPL 2023: Rajasthan Royals (RR) Perfect Predicted Playing 11

Sanju Samson looking to inspire the team as we look at the best predicted playing 11 for Rajasthan Royals (RR) for IPL 2023.

The IPL 2022 Runner-up, Rajasthan Royals have got off to a bad start for IPL 2023 as their star pacer, Prasidh Krishna has been ruled out of IPL 2023 due to injury concerns. Praisdh has been a star performer not just in IPL, but also for the Indian team; especially in the ODI format.

Even as Prasidh is not there, RR do not have to worry much as they have good backups to fall back upon. Other than the Indian backup pacers, RR have a strong overseas pace bowling contingent that they can explore. What’s more, the team also have a good spin bowling line-up to exploit the spin-favourable conditions. 

Rajasthan Royals are one of the few teams to have a near-to-same playing 11 that we had seen in 2022. In fact, if not for Prasidh Krishna’s injury, Rajasthan Royals would have had 10 of their 11 players being repeated from their 2022 best playing 11. The only change that we would have seen is the addition of Jason Holder to the squad. 

So, with a month to go for the start of IPL 2023, what could be the best predicted playing 11 for Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2023 in the absence of Prasidh Krishna? Well, let’s find out in this article. Before that, let’s look at the official squad for Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2023. 

IPL 2023: Official Squad for Rajasthan Royals (RR)

Batters: Devdutt Padikkal, Joe Root (o), Kunal Rathore, Shimron Hetmyer (o) & Yashasvi Jaiswal

WKs: Dhruv Jurel, Donavon Ferreira (o), Jos Buttler (o) & Sanju Samson (c)

All-rounders: Abdul Basith, Akash Vashist, Jason Holder (o), Ravichandran Ashwin & Riyan Parag

Bowlers: Adam Zampa (o), KC Cariappa, KM Asif, Kuldeep Sen, Kuldip Yadav, Murugan Ashwin, Navdeep Saini, Obed McCoy (o), Trent Boult (o) & Yuzvendra Chahal

Total Players: 24 

Best Playing 11 for Rajasthan Royals:

Openers: Jos Buttler & Yashasvi Jaiswal

Rajasthan Royals shall continue with the same opening combination that we had seen in 2022. The fire and ice combo of Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal should continue to lead the RR side from the front for 2023. What’s better this time is that both, Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal have only got better and are in tremendous form.

Middle-order: Sanju Samson, Devdutt Padikkal & Shimron Hetmyer

Another area where Rajasthan Royals should continue with the same set of players. While Captain Sanju Samson should lead the team at the number 3 position, Devdutt Padikall will have to once again adapt to an unusual number 4 position. Whereas Shimron Hetmyer should take care of the finishing duties at number 5. 

All-rounders: Riyan Parag, Jason Holder & Ravichandran Ashwin

All-rounders is an area where Rajasthan Royals have only gotten better. The team had missed a solid all-rounder in 2022, and with the acquisition of Jason Holder, RR have solved this perennial problem. Holder gives that finishing touch at number 7, and can bowl well in Powerplay and in the death overs. 

Apart from Holder, RR have Riyan Parag and Ravichandran Ashwin as the other two all-rounders. Interestingly, the bowling ability of Riyan Parag and the batting ability of Ravichandran Ashwin have only improved. The trio together form a perfect all-rounder set complementing each other. 

Bowlers: Trent Boult, Kuldeep Sen & Yuzvendra Chahal

Coming to the bowling, RR would miss Obed McCoy and Prasidh Krishna. While Jason Holder has taken Obed McCoy’s place as the all-rounder, Prasidh Krishna has been ruled out due to injury. With Krishna missing, the best pacer to take his place is Kuldeep Sen, who also recently made his debut for Team India. 

Other than Kuldeep, Trent Boult should continue to lead the pace duties. Whereas Yuzvendra Chahal shall lead the spin duties. Overall, the playing 11 for Rajasthan Royals has only gotten better with players in good form and a strengthened lower-order.  

IPL 2023 Best Predicted Playing 11 for Rajasthan Royals (RR): 

Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson [C&WK], Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan  Parag, Jason Holder, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal & Kuldeep Sen

So, that’s about the best predicted playing 11 for Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2023. Other than the one mentioned above, Rajasthan Royals can also explore the following playing 11 depending on the playing conditions. 

Alternate Best Playing 11 Options for Rajasthan Royals

#1: Murugan Ashwin for Kuldeep Sen for Spin-friendly pitches.

If we look at the best predicted playing 11 for Rajasthan Royals, it has the right mix of pacers and spinners. With 3 pacers and spinners combination, the bowling line-up is actually adept for any playing condition. But, if the pitch demands more spin, RR can play Murugan Ashwin in place of Kuldeep Sen. 

#2: A Change in Batting-order

Although Rajasthan Royals have had a settled batting line-up since 2022, RR may think of altering the batting line-up a bit to have a better performance. The management can think of opening Devdutt Padikkal with Yashasvi Jaiswal and play Jos Buttler at 4 and Shimron Hetmyer at 5. Or the team can play Devdutt Padikkal at 3 and Sanju Samson at 4. 

These are the two playing 11 combinations that RR can explore. While the first-choice four overseas players are more often than settled, the team can think of playing Attacking finisher Donavan Ferreria in place of Shimron Hetmyer if the latter gets injured. 

Thanks for reading! What’s your playing 11 for Rajasthan Royals (RR) for IPL 2023? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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