In this article, we take a look at the SWOT Analysis of 2008 IPL champions Rajasthan Royals following the IPL 2025 Mega Auction.
Strength
The Rajasthan Royals management group 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 group 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.
Moreover, to support an injury-prone bowler in Jofra Archer, Rahul Dravid and co. brought in two left-arm overseas seamers in Falzalhaq Farooqi and Kwena Maphaka, if the English quickster’s body breaks down midway through the season, making them one of the most intriguing and exciting prospects on paper.
Weakness
However, it is safe to say that despite boasting a competitive playing XI, there are few holes that can undo their season given the lack of depth in both their batting and overseas bowling departments.
In spite of their star studded top and middle order, RR have bought a relatively unknown and inexperienced group of players as back-ups to their star batters.
13-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi is a project player and is unlikely to make any bids to break into the playing XI. Kunal Singh Rathore, another 22-year-old youngster will likely be the back-up to skipper Sanju Samson, while 30-year-old left-hander Shubham Dubey is the only player who has some experience playing in the IPL.
Moreover, failure to retain both Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal resulted in RR opting to go international spinners in Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, however, they don’t have any back-ups to either spinner with finger spinner Kumar Kartikeya being their only viable option.
Opportunity
Nitish Rana will be coming into IPL 2025 with a lot to prove. The 30-year-old has been out of touch since IPL 2023, and an injury-riddled 2024 campaign did little to 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 Rajasthan Royals set-up, the former Kolkata Knight Riders player will have the license 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 RR is former Mumbai Indians seamer Akash Madhwal. After taking the IPL by storm during his maiden season with MI in 2023, Madhwal struggled for game time last season. With Jofra Archer and Tushar Deshpande predominantly operating with the new ball, it’ll leave Akash Madhwal alongside Sandeep Sharma to take up the middle orders and death bowling duties.
Threat
Like most IPL franchises, Rajasthan Royals have also cut down on their overseas spending, adding just six overseas players to their roster. However, the biggest threat to Rajasthan’s aspirations will be the availability of Wanindu Hasaranga and Jofra Archer. Both Hasaranga and Archer will be key to any in-roads RR make, however, their injury record suggests keeping these two fit for the entire season will be a challenge in itself.
Since 2020, Archer has spent more time on the sidelines than the cricket field, with his recurring elbow injury limiting his playing time. Similarly, Wanindu Hasaranga, the Sri Lankan allrounder, although playing more games than Archer, isn’t any better, with him missing 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, Shubham Dubey/Akash Madhwal (Impact Sub)
Prediction: 5th
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