IPL PREVIEWS: All you need to know about Rajasthan Royals ahead of the start of the new Indian Premier League season in April
After months of boardroom plotting, weeks of speculation and a lavish auction that has become a phenomenon in itself, the wait is almost over.
The Indian Premier League gets under way in April, and it promises to be the most open in recent memory, such is the nature of the competition.
Here is all you need to know about Rajasthan Royals, from rising stars and the ones to watch to their title chances.
Rajasthan Royals’ fortunes have faded since the team were crowned as champions in the inaugural IPL tournament. Barring two playoff appearances, they have made exits in the preliminary stages.
The bad luck didn’t stop there: in June 2015 the club alongside Chennai Super Kings were implicated in scandal and thrown out of the tournament for match-fixing. With the two-year suspension now over, Rajasthan scurry back, tail between their legs.
Ajinkya Rahane in action for India
As of March 2018, no formal head coach has been appointed. Changes however have been made behind the scenes. Australian great Shane Warne, who led Rajasthan Royals to glory in their only IPL triumph, returns to the club after a decade’s absence. He told his Instagram followers last month he will be taking on a mentor role at the club and tipped Rajasthan to "achieve some special things" in the year 2018.
Sairaj Bahutule and Amol Muzumdar have been drafted in as bowling and batting coaches respectively. Steve Smith, the top-ranked Test batsman in the world as of this month, was named as Royals captain. At a press conference the Australian said he was looking forward to reunite with Warne, who he labelled as the “King”.
Steve Smith's absence will pile pressure on Rajasthan's other key names. Ben Stokes, who played alongside Smith at Rising Pune Supergiant last season flourished under his captaincy and promises to be a coup.
In the 2017 IPL, the England allrounder managed 12 wickets in 12 matches and scored 316 runs. Young pacer Jaydev Unadkat, like Stokes has come in for big money, and fans will expect him to hit the ground running. Ajinkya Rahane bolsters the batting line-up while Jofra Archer, whose playing style has lit up cricket in the past year, looks to be a shrewd acquisition.
Ben Stokes was named MVP in 2017
Mahipal Lomror, a local lad who joined Rajasthan Royals in the 2018 auction. He represented India at the Under-19 World Cup two years ago after impressing selectors during the first-class cricket season.
Lomror shone against New Zealand when he first managed to score 45 runs in the low order, and then hit five wickets. Whether he will be given the chance in the first XI remains uncertain, but he has the makings of a gamechanger.
Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Rajasthan Royals make a return to the ground for the first time since 2013, as contractual issues saw them move to Sardar Patel Stadium in 2014 and the club sat out the next two tournaments.
The stadium in Jaipur can accommodate 23,185 spectators and has only held a single Test match -- India v Pakistan in early 1987. Major redevelopment on the stadium began in 2006 to refurbish the stands and build two new blocks.
Jaydev Unadkat commanded a big fee
Slim. To go far in the competition, a lot will hinge on the bowling department. Variation is key, but it appears from the onset that the team will be dependent on Unadkat to provide pace. It is noticeable there is no orthodox spin options either. Jofra Archer is currently recovering from a side-strain injury, and if he were to miss a large chunk of the tournament, it would represent a massive blow to Rajasthan Royals’ chances.
Squad: Ben Stokes, Jaydev Unadkat, Sanju Samson, Jofra Archer, Krishnappa Gowtham, Jos Buttler, Ajinkya Rahane, Darcy Short, Rahul Tripathi, Dhawal Kulkarni, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Ben Laughlin, Stuart Binny, Dushmantha Chameera, Anureet Singh, Aryaman Vikram Birla, Midhun S, Shreyas Gopal, Prashant Chopra, Jatin Saxena, Ankit Sharma, and Mahipal Lomror, Heinrich Klaasen.
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