RAJASTHAN ROYALS – Pre-tournament (IPL-2019) Analysis

Rajasthan Royals, the winner of that era when teams were still figuring out the strategies and tactics to progress in the format of T20 cricket. During those days of T20 Cricket, a team having 160 runs to defend was considered as favourites. With the change in time, now the IPL teams are more developed and familiar with T20 format. During the time, there has also been a shift in fortune for Rajasthan Royals as well. From being the winner of season 1 to a team who finds it difficult to make into playoffs. Surely, there is something that went wrong especially with a settled team combination.

 

Let us get into the analysis of Rajasthan Royals and figure out the right team combination to survive the competition.

 

IPL 2019 SQUAD

1. Steven Smith

2. Ben Stokes

3. Jos Butler

4. Jofra Archer

5. Ish Sodhi

6. Ajinkya Rahane ©

7. K Gowtham

8. Sanju Samson

9. Shreyas Gopal

10. Aryaman Birla

11. S Midhun

12. Prashant Chopra

13.Stuart Binny

14. Rahul Tripathi

15. Dhawal Kulkarni

16. Mahipal Lomror

17. Jaydev Unadkat

18. Varun Aaron

19. Oshane Thomas

20. Shashank Singh

21. Liam Livingstone

22. Shubham Ranjane

23. Manan Vohra

24. Ashton Turner

25. Riyan Parag

 

Assuming that all the above players are available for 1st Leg of Indian Premier League.

 

Rajasthan Royals will play four matches in the 1st leg of Indian Premier League. It will be hard for them to choose a team of 11 players out of 25 contenders. We will try to figure out the best 11 according to the playing conditions and recent form of the players.

 

Recommended Team for Home Game (Jaipur)

1. Jos Butler (Foreign)

2. Liam Livingstone (Foreign)

3. Ajinkya Rahane ©

4. Sanju Samson (WK)

5. Ben Stokes (Foreign)

6. Mahipal Lomror

7. Krishnappa Gowtham

8. Shreyas Gopal

9. Jaydev Unadkat

10. Varun Aaron

11. Oshane Thomas (Foreign)

 

Notes:

-Use Oshane Thomas after 6 overs.

-Picked Oshane Thomas over Jofra Archer.

-No Steve Smith in team -Rahane at No 3 due to the top form of English openers.

-No Kulkarni as Jaydev is there for variations.

 

Recommended Team for Away games (Hyderabad)

Fresh Hyderabad wicket is expected to be in favor of bowlers with the ratio of 51:49

1. Jos Butler

2. Ajinkya Rahane ©

3. Steve Smith

4. Sanju Samson

5. Ben Stokes

6. Mahipal Lomror

7. Krishnappa Gowtham

8. Jofra Archer

9. Shreyas Gopal

10. Dhawal Kulkarni

11. Jaydev Unadkat

Notes:

-Smith over Liam Livingstone because experience is given preference over aggression in these conditions.

-Jofra over Thomas because bowler having experience must be preferred on this wicket.

-Kulkarni preferred over Aaron.

 

Recommended Team for Away Game (Chennai)

As we are in Lions (MSD) Den we must be very careful with our tactics and strategies.

1. Ajinkya Rahane

2. Sanju Samson

3. Jos Butler

4. Steve Smith

5. Ben Stokes

6. Rahul Tripathi

7. Riyan Parag

8. Jofra Archer

9. Krishnappa Gowtham

10. Dhawal Kulkarni

11. Jaydev Unadkat

Notes:

-This combination is preferred as we need more depth in batting and bowling at Chepauk.

-Riyan Parag will play as an all-rounder.

-Sanju Samson to open due to his experience in Southern pitches.

 

Note: We would prefer Ish Sodhi over Oshane Thomas at home if it is an Afternoon game.

 

That is all. If you want to give any suggestions or share us your combination, please comment below. You can also reach at our Twitter handle to share your teams.

- Written by Harshit Aggarwal (@HarshitChesser)