IPL 2015 team preview: Rajasthan Royals
Batting strength
| Batsman | Batting Runs Above Average (2014) | Overall batting rank |
|---|---|---|
| JP Faulkner | 74 | 14 |
| KK Nair | 62 | 17 |
| SPD Smith | 40 | 23 |
| DS Kulkarni | 35 | 25 |
| AM Rahane | 17 | 33 |
| DH Yagnik | 4 | 43 |
| VS Malik | 1 | 50 |
| SV Samson | -10 | 53 |
| SR Watson | -82 | 109 |
Bowling strength
| Bowler | Bowling Runs Above Average (2014) | Overall bowling rank |
|---|---|---|
| PV Tambe | 98 | 13 |
| R Bhatia | 81 | 14 |
| Ankit Sharma | 78 | 16 |
| KW Richardson | 67 | 20 |
| SR Watson | 47 | 23 |
| STR Binny | 27 | 28 |
| BCJ Cutting | -1 | 39 |
| DS Kulkarni | -39 | 59 |
| TG Southee | -74 | 67 |
| JP Faulkner | -85 | 69 |
Two things have characterized the Rajasthan Royals team ever since their inception: first is their ability to identify low-key players who contribute big-time on the field, and the second is a heavy reliance on Australian players. This season will be no exception in that regard. The Royals kept most of their roster intact, and spent very little in the player auction this year. Yet they will still be fielding a formidable squad in this season.
The team's batting consists of both brash stroke-makers like James Faulkner, Shane Watson and Sanju Samason, as well as classic stroke-players in Steve Smith and Ajinkhya Rahane. This should allow them to attack, improvise or consolidate in their batting innings, depending upon the situation. Their batting line-up has a very good depth which should allow them to easily cover for an injury or two. Their bowling will be led by their surprise package of the past two years, Pravin Tambe, and he will be supported by fellow players in the domestic circuit, Rajat Bhatia and Ankit Sharma. In bowling too the team has a good depth, but they will be hoping that their two overseas bowlers, Tim Southee and James Faulkner, improve upon their performance from the last year. Overall, Rajasthan Royals are built for the long-run, and with some luck they should be able to find a place in the knock-out stage of the tournament.
Roster management: The four overseas spots in the final eleven should get filled up by the four Aussies: Watson, Smith, Faulkner and Kane Richardson, while Cutting and Southee will be waiting in the wings. The wicketkeeper spot should go to Sanju Samson, but Dinesh Yagnik can step in if needed.
Dark horse: Tim Southee proved to be expensive in the previous IPL season, but he can be deadly with the new ball as he showed in this years' ODI World Cup. He might get left out because of the overseas player quota, but Rajasthan will do well to give him a few opportunities.
Share this
Matches
Connect with us