Strongest Rajasthan Royals playing XI for IPL 2021

By V. Chhabria Feb 20, 2021, 20:39 IST
Strongest Rajasthan Royals playing XI for IPL 2021

The Rajasthan Royals had their worst IPL season in the year 2020. The Royals, who won the first IPL season, finished at the last position on the points table last year. As a result, the Jaipur-based franchise sacked their captain Steve Smith and released him before IPL Auction 2021. 

The Royals have assigned the team’s reins to Indian wicket-keeper batsman Sanju Samson. The likes of Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, and Jos Buttler are also present in the squad. The Royals made history by signing South African all-rounder Chris Morris for 16.25 crore at the auction. They have also roped in Bangladeshi speedster Mustafizur Rahman. 

It goes without saying that the Rajasthan Royals are the favorites to win the IPL championship in 2021. Here’s a look at their strongest playing XI. 

Openers - Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal 


Steve Smith made a colossal blunder last year by demoting Jos Buttler and benching Yashasvi Jaiswal. Both players can be very dangerous at the top, and it would be a huge mistake to play with another opening pair. 

Buttler and Jaiswal will provide the perfect right-left combination for the Rajasthan Royals. Manan Vohra could be a back-up option for the opening position. 

Middle Order - Sanju Samson (c and wk), Ben Stokes, Shivam Dube, and Riyan Parag 


The Rajasthan Royals have a stellar middle-order this year with captain Sanju Samson being the most dangerous batsman. Samson will also keep the wickets for the Royals, while all-rounder Ben Stokes will bat at number four. 

The Royals have clarified that Stokes would not bowl much. Hence, it makes sense to use him at the number four position. Shivam Dube and Riyan Parag could be the team’s two batting all-rounders. Dube is yet to prove himself in the IPL, but he has the talent to destroy any bowling lineup in the world. Riyan Parag is young, but he has kept his calm and helped the Royals win multiple games. 

Lower middle-order: Chris Morris, Rahul Tewatia, and Jofra Archer


 

Chris Morris is the most expensive overseas player in IPL history. As RR will pay a huge sum for his services, the franchise will likely want to include him in the playing XI for all matches. Rahul Tewatia proved himself as a match-winner in IPL 2020. 

Jofra Archer was the Most Valuable Player of IPL 2020. Archer and Tewatia can hit the ball hard in the slog overs. Thus, it would be great for RR if they have both players in their lower middle-order. 

Bowlers - Jaydev Unadkat and Shreyas Gopal


Jaydev Unadkat has received one more chance to prove his talent at the Rajasthan Royals. Unadkat had done a fine job for the Rising Pune Supergiant. So, it would be wrong to rule him out totally before giving him a chance in IPL 2021. 

Shreyas Gopal will be the team’s lead leg-spinner. Although RR have the option of KC Cariappa available, it is unlikely that the Royals would prefer benching Shreyas Gopal during the first few games of the 2021 season. 

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