IPL 2021 Rajasthan Royals Preview: Can RR Aim Correctly Without Their Archer?

by Nitesh Mathur | Apr 4, 2021 | IPL

Rajasthan Royals 2021 Preview.

There used to be a time when frugal IPL auction buys and uncapped Indian players was the norm for RR. Now it is the complete opposite. They are overdependent on foreign players.

If Buttler has a great season, they make the top 4. Otherwise, same old story. Here is the preview.

Also Read: IPL 2021 Auctions Review, RR All-Time XI

IPL History

2008 (Champions), 2013 (3rd), 2015, 2018 – (4th)

How Did They Do Last Year?

8th. Except for Jofra Archer maiden overs, Ben Stokes opening century, Riyan Parag’s Bihu dance celebration, & a glimpse into Kartik Tyagi’s potential, not much to write home about.

Injury & COVID-19 News

Jofra Archer is bound to miss at least 4 matches due to a hand injury. Given that the T20I World Cup is England’s focus right now, it is unlikely that Archer will be risked much.

Complete Rajasthan Royals Squad

Batsman: Yashashvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Manan Vohra, Anuj Rawat, Akash Singh

WK: Sanju Samson

All-Rounders: Shivam Dube, Mahipal Lomror, Rahul Tewatia

Spinners: KC Cariappa, Shreyas Gopal, Mayank Markande

Fast Medium: Kartik Tyagi, Jaydev Unadkat, Chetan Sakariya

Overseas: Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, David Miller, Chris Morris, Mustafizur Rahman, Ben Stokes, Andrew Tye

Uncapped (even in first class): Kuldip Yadav

Predicted RR XI

Rumors suggest that England captain Eoin Morgan has inside information from rival camp of Rajasthan Royals. Maybe a Buttler-Stokes opening partnership to better help England prepare for the upcoming World Cup?

I would still start out with Jaiswal as an opener. (But then I am no captain of the best limited overs side in the world).

1. Jos Buttler, 2. Yashasvi Jaiswal/ Manan Vohra/Riyan Parag, 3. Ben Stokes, 4. Sanju Samson (C/WK), 5. Shivam Dube, 6. Rahul Tewatia, 7. Chris Morris, 8. Shreyas Gopal, 9. Kartik Tyagi, 10. Mayank Markande/Jaydev Unadkat, 11. Mustafizur Rahman/Andrew Tye

Will David Miller get another season on the bench? (Or one game before a 0 (0) run out benches him for the rest of the season).

Watch Out For

• Chris Morris. Has been sold for plenty at the auction, but some signs he is getting back to his best. Since his breakthrough season with Delhi a few years ago, he has not made a huge mark on the IPL. Is this the year?
• Sanju Samson went from India’s #4 in the Australia tour to out of the squad. With an extended 23 men squad available for the T20I world cup, can he impress the selectors once again?
• Buttler-Stokes in the top order.

Where Can Things Go Wrong For the Royals?

Lack of pace. The Fizz, Tye, Unadkat, & even Morris are arguably the world’s best off cutter bowling combination in the world. Without Jofra Archer though, they might fail to defend scores in Mumbai, Kolkata, & Bangalore.

Only so many Tewatia specials can save the Royals.

Venues & Fixtures

Venues

Mumbai- 5, Delhi – 4, Kolkata – 3, Bangalore – 2

Fixtures

• 12 April: RR vs PBKS (Mumbai)
• 15 April: RR vs DC (Mumbai)
• 19 April: CSK vs RR (Mumbai)
• 22 April: RCB vs RR (Mumbai)
• 24 April: RR vs KKR (Mumbai)
• 29 April: MI vs RR (Delhi)
• 2 May: RR vs SRH (Delhi)
• 5 May: RR vs CSK (Delhi)
• 8 May: RR vs MI (Delhi)
• 11 May: DC vs RR (Kolkata)
• 13 May: SRH vs RR (Kolkata)
• 16 May: RR vs RCB (Kolkata)
• 18 May: KKR vs RR (Bangalore)
• 22 May: PBKS vs RR (Bangalore)

• 25 May: Qualifier 1 (Ahmedabad)
• 26 May: Eliminator (Ahmedabad)
• 28 May: Qualifier 2 (Ahmedabad)
• 30 May: Final (Ahmedabad)

Prediction

What do you think of the Rajasthan Royals Preview? Your First XI? Will they make the IPL 2021 qualifiers?

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Copyright (2021: 4/3/2021)– @Nitesh Mathur, aka Nit-X – bcd@brokokencricketdreams.com