IPL T20 has spared not even an iota of doubt about the fundamentals of the game being left at the mercy of weather Gods as Rajasthan Royals have to be a struggling team of the season 14 to clinch a clear title by escalating their strike rate formidably. WinDaddy has taken an unbiased navigational route to unpeel the skin to get you a focused picture without zooming out of the game all through the tournament. From WinDaddy’s expert outreach, the ball has been set in motion as the mandate to select the star performers has been based on the primary adage that winners never quit and quitters never win.
Let’s recap some of the startling points of this squad.
Archer’s absence leaves a large chasm in the XI and you wonder whether he can be properly replaced.
Captain: Sanju Samson
Coach: Kumar Sangakkara (director of cricket)
Best finish: Champions (2008)
Last season: Eighth
Ben Stokes: As England debate how to get the best out of their all-conquering allrounder, Royals are having no such problem. Moved to the top of the order, the Durham man enjoyed his most fruitful IPL yet last year, scoring 285 runs at 40.71 after a late arrival and a period in quarantine.
Jos Buttler: Two half-centuries and four single figure scores meant it was a far from ideal white-ball return for Buttler in India.
He could play a very different role for Royals, perhaps even as low as No.5, in the finisher position for which he is well suited. With ample competition for the overseas player berths in the XI he may even be given a rest on occasion.
Chris Morris:
All eyes will be on the most expensive signing in IPL history, who was picked up for 16.25crore after an incredible bidding war at the auction
he may never provide a satisfactory answer. The express seamer possesses plenty of variation with the ball, is frugal at both ends of the innings and packs a punch with a bat (T20 strike-rate 150.58).
Akash Singh:
Amid rising concerns regarding Jofra Archer’s availability, focus will inevitability swell on those under pressure to take up the slack. Akash is an express left-arm seamer who worked with Royals before last season’s competition and was re-signed during the auction.
The arrival of Morris and Mustafizur Rahman means a watching brief may follow but there are plenty of reasons why this season could be different. The teenager possesses roaring pace, a fearsome short ball which peppers batters.
Liam Livingstone:
Back for a second spell as a much-improved player at this level. Since those three outings for Royals in 2019 he has been to South Africa, Pakistan and Australia to develop his skills and become a regular on the circuit.
Further England recognition finally came this winter following a stellar BBL campaign for Perth Scorchers (426 runs, three fifties). Add his handy off breaks into the equation and he provides another useful all rounder option for Samson