RR in IPL 2023: The Rajasthan Royals probably had their best season last year since their win in the 2008 edition. The champions of the first edition could not please their fans with their performance over the years, but returned strongly last year thanks to English captain Jos Buttler and RR captain Sanju Samson, as well as the spin and pace duos.
However, though the Royals had a convincing edition last year, they still could not emerge as winners, as they had to face a crushing defeat at the hands of the extravagant debutante Gujarat Titans.
Despite amazing batting performances by Jos and being well supported by skipper Samson, young Padikkal and Jaiswal, and the big heaver from the Caribbean Ring of Fire, Shimron Hetmyer, who gave their innings consolidation with his quick little cameos towards the end of the innings, the Royals failed to acquire runs down the order as they struggled to find a proper No. 6 and 7 and would be looking for one in this year’s auction,
The same goes with the bowling duos; both pace and spin were delivered to the fullest of their abilities, but they still faced disappointment with their fifth bowling option, as they tried multiple players for it and all failed miserably.
The remaining purse for RR in this year’s mini-auction is the third-smallest after RCB and KKR, with just 13.2 crores after the additional amount of 5 crores added before this year’s auction.
List of players RR would look to feature in their squad:-
1. Alex Hales
After this year’s World Cup T20, no one can doubt the batting chemistry of Buttler and Hales. The English duo can give the royals a rock-solid start if allowed to open for them. The Royals are willing to pay up to 4-5 crores for the English opener.
2. Sam Curran
Another Englishman could also be on the cards for the Royals. The fierce attack of the Royals lacks death-bowling skills, and Curran is in all ways the best choice to end the Royals’ quest for a fifth bowler. With limited resources, RR can only afford to pay 3-4 crores for the English paceman.
3. Ben Stokes
Another man from the land of the queen, Stokes, who was earlier a part of this franchise, can also be a great pick for the Royals, as they tend to look for a middle-order batter at 5 and a handy bowling option too. Stokes could fetch the Royals a bid of 2-3 crores.
With the Royals side never lacking formidability and not carrying a great amount in their lineup, they would next look for some low-cost Indian domestic picks like Sheldon Jackson, Mayank Markande, and the overseas all-rounder Romario Shephard as a backup for any injury to the main 3. All of them cost between 60 and 75 lakhs.
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