In this article, we offer you our SWOT analysis of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) following the IPL 2025 Mega Auction.
Strength
The Rajasthan Royals management opted to retain much of their batting core, with the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, skipper Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, and Shimron Hetmyer all getting the big bucks.
With their batting line-up all set and done, the RR went into the auction with their eyes set on building a potent bowling attack to support their lone bowling retainee, Sandeep Sharma. In came the likes of Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Madhwal, and the Sri Lankan spin duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana. To support an injury-prone bowler in Archer, Rahul Dravid and Co also brought in two left-arm overseas seamers in Falzalhaq Farooqi and Kwena Maphaka.
Weakness
It is safe to say that, despite boasting a competitive playing XI, there are few holes that can undo the Royals’ season given the lack of depth in their batting and overseas bowling departments.
In spite of their star-studded top and middle orders, the Royals have brought in a relatively unknown and inexperienced group of players as backups to their star batters. 13-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi is a project player and is unlikely to make many bids to break into the playing XI in the coming year. Kunal Singh Rathore (22) will likely be the backup to Samson, while the left-handed Shubham Dubey (30) is the only player with some IPL experience.
Moreover, failing to retain both Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, the Royals have opted to go international spinners in Hasaranga and Theekshana, though they don’t have any backups to either spinner, with finger spinner Kumar Kartikeya being their only other viable option.
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Opportunity
Nitish Rana will be coming into IPL 2025 with a lot to prove. The 30-year-old has been out of touch since the 2023 season, and an injury-riddled 2024 campaign did little to help him build any confidence. Since then, Rana has had a torrid time both in the UP T20 league as well as the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring a total of 215 runs in 17 innings.
However, in this Royals setup, the former Kolkata Knight Riders batter will have the licence to play himself in, batting at #3, while his off-breaks will also come in handy whenever he is called upon.
Another player who can provide cover and be a difference for the Royals is former Mumbai Indians seamer Akash Madhwal. After taking the IPL by storm during his maiden season with the MI in 2023, Madhwal struggled for game time last season. With Archer and Deshpande set to operate with the new ball, Madhwal alongside Sandeep Sharma will get to take up the middle and death overs.
Threat
Like most IPL franchises, the Rajasthan Royals have also cut down on their overseas spending, adding just six foreign players to their roster. However, the biggest threat to their aspirations will be the availability of Hasaranga and Archer, whose injury record suggests keeping them fit for the entire season will be a challenge in and of itself.
Since 2020, Archer has spent more time on the sidelines than on the pitch, with his recurring elbow injury limiting his playing time. Similarly, Hasaranga isn’t doing much better despite more playing minutes under his belt. The all-rounder missed Sri Lanka’s latest series against New Zealand in November due to a hamstring injury.
Probable XII: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (wk), Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Akash Madhwal (Impact Sub)
Prediction: 5th
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