Rajasthan Royals - Team Preview, Records, Journey, IPL 2021 Squad & Schedule

Rajasthan Royals (RR) grabbed everyone's attention after winning the first edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. They didn't have the strongest team on paper and yet managed to win. But since then, they haven't been able to repeat any of those heroics. IPL 2020 was probably their worst season as they finished last under the leadership of Steve Smith. 

This time around, under the captaincy of young Sanju Samson, and with the backing of other experienced players, RR is looking fresh and might surprise everyone with a successful campaign. 

Rajasthan Royals Squad For IPL 2021

• Batsmen: David Miller, Manan Vohra, Liam Livingstone, Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal
• All-Rounders: Chris Morris, Ben Stokes, Rahul Tewatia, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Gopal, Mahipal Lomror
• Wicketkeepers: Sanju Samson (Captain), Jos Buttler, Anuj Rawat
• Bowlers: KC Cariappa, Mayank Markande, Andrew Tye, Jaydev Unadkat, Jofra Archer, Mustafizur Rehman, Kuldip Yadav, Chetan Sakariya, Kartik Tyagi, Akash Singh. 

IPL Records Of Rajasthan Royals

• Rajasthan Royals has the record of the highest successful run chase to their name. They chased down a target of 215 against Deccan Chargers in the IPL 2008.
• They also have the record for the fewest defeats in a season. They lost just 3 matches in the 2008 season in which they eventually became the winners.
• Skipper Sanju Samson is the highest run-getter in the RR squad. He has got 2,584 runs to his name, averaging 27.78 at a strike rate of 133.74.
• Jaydev Unadkat is the highest wicket-taker in the squad with 81 wickets in 80 matches. Chris Morris is just behind him with 80 wickets to his name in 70 IPL matches. 
• Overall Record in IPL:
  • Matches Played: 161
  • Wins: 79
  • Losses: 77
  • No Result: 2
  • Win Rate: 50.62%

IPL Journey Of Rajasthan Royals

• 2008: Won 13 and lost 3 matches. Won the maiden IPL trophy under Shane Warne. 
• 2009: Won 6 matches and lost 7. Finished 6th    in the final league standings.
• 2010: Won 6 and Lost 8 matches. Finished 7th.
• 2011: Won 7 and lost 7 matches. Finished at the 6th spot.
• 2012:  Won 7 and lost 9 matches. Finished at the 7th spot.
• 2013: Won 11 and lost 7 matches. Rajasthan was defeated by Mumbai in the 2nd qualifier and finished 3rd in the tournament. 
• 2014: Won 12 and lost 5 matches. Finally managed to reach the finals. Finished 2nd after failing to defend 199 against KKR.
• 2015: Won 7 and lost 7 matches. Finished 5th in the tournament. 
• 2016: Suspended. 
• 2017: Suspended.
• 2018: Won 7 and lost 8 matches. Finished 4th in the final league standings after getting defeated by the Knight Riders in the playoffs' eliminator match.
• 2019: Won 5 and lost 8 matches. Finished 7th in the final league standings.
• 2020: Won 6 and lost 8 matches. Finished last for the first time in the IPL history.

Rajasthan Royals' strength in IPL 2021 can be the number of match-winners in the batting unit. Sanju Samson and Manan Vohra have a lot of IPL experience under their belt, while Yashasvi Jaiswal has performed well in the U-19 circuit and was impressive in the previous season as well. Englishmen Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler can win any match for their team on their own. Rahul Tewatia came out to be the surprise package last season and will be high on confidence for the upcoming edition. Liam Livingstone had an impressive run for England last month and can be the finisher Rajasthan requires. 

There's a lack of support for Jofra Archer in the pace bowling department.  Even though RR finished last in 2020, Jofra Archer was named the MVP.

With Jofra Archer, who was the MVP in IPL 2020, not available for at least the first half of the tournament, Chris Morris and Jaydev Unadkat will have to lead the RR's bowling department. Mustafizur Rahman hasn't had an impressive run in the recent past on international tours but the Royals would be hoping he regains his rhythm early in the tournament. Kartik Tyagi, Akash Singh, and Chetan Sakariya are other young options that still need to learn. 

This can be a golden opportunity for Shivam Dube to establish himself as an all-rounder. He can be explosive with batting and can contribute to the pace bowling department as well.

The threat to RR this season can be the over-reliance on foreign players and an inexperienced captain. Samson and Tewatia are the only two Indian players in the team who have been a part of the National T20 squad. There are many uncapped players in the team which increases the overreliance on the 4 foreign players in the playing XI. An in-experienced captain is also a threat that can go either way for Rajasthan Royals.

Rajasthan Royals' Schedule In IPL 2021

• 12th April: vs Punjab Kings at Mumbai
• 15th April: vs Delhi Capitals at Mumbai
• 19th April: vs Chennai Super Kings at Mumbai
• 22nd April: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore at Mumbai
• 24th April: vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Mumbai
• 29th April: vs Mumbai Indians at Delhi (at 4 PM)
• 2nd May: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad at Delhi (at 4 PM)
• 5th May: vs Chennai Super Kings at Delhi
• 8th May: vs Mumbai Indians at Delhi
• 11th May: vs Delhi Capitals at Kolkata
• 13th May: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad at Kolkata
• 16th May: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore at Kolkata
• 18th May: vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Bangalore 
• 22nd May: vs Punjab Kings at Bangalore

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