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Sanju Samson rose to prominence through his resilient performances for the Rajasthan Royals during his debut season with the franchise. Initially mentored by Rahul Dravid, the wicketkeeper-batsman from Kerala developed into a formidable player. After a stint with the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2016, where he played pivotal innings, Samson returned to the Royals. His impressive run continued with 342 runs in IPL 2019 and 375 runs in IPL 2020. Appointed as captain in 2021, Samson now leads the team into his second season, supported by experienced players. Expectations are high for an improved performance from the Rajasthan Royals under his leadership.
The dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman aims to leave a mark as Rajasthan Royals count on his international experience to lead them and break their quest for a second title. With 328 runs in IPL 2020, he showcased his prowess. Despite leaving IPL 2019 midway for World Cup preparations, he made an impact with 311 runs in eight games after a stellar 548-run season in IPL 2018. Although he had a mixed season with RR in 2021, scoring 254 runs in 7 matches including a century, Buttler’s role as a senior player and key member retained pre-auction is vital in both leadership and on-field performance.
Shimron Hetmyer captured the attention of Indian fans with his impressive six-hitting skills during the Windies’ limited-overs tour of India in 2018. Having played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2019, the left-handed batsman moved to Delhi Capitals for IPL 2020 after being acquired for INR 7.75 crores. Hailing from Berbice, Guyana, Hetmyer participated in the Under-19 tournament for the Windies twice, guiding his team to a triumph over India in 2016. Despite a modest performance in IPL 2020, scoring 242 runs in 14 games, Hetmyer’s big-hitting ability earned him a significant price tag of 8.5 crores as he joins Rajasthan Royals for the 15th season. He is expected to play a crucial role in stabilizing the middle order and providing fireworks at the end of the innings, with high expectations surrounding his performance this season.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, who amassed 400 runs during India’s Under 19 World Cup 2020 campaign and became the youngest Indian to score a List A double century at just 17 years old, was acquired by Rajasthan Royals for Rs. 2.40 crore prior to IPL 2020. His retention ahead of the 15th season signaled RR’s long-term vision for him, recognizing his immense talent. Despite being one of only three players retained, Yashasvi proved his worth with an impressive strike rate in the 2021 season, scoring 249 runs in 10 games from 168 balls and achieving his maiden 50. His consistency continued in the 2022 season with 258 runs, leading to his retention for IPL 2023. With a promising start to his IPL career, Yashasvi aims to elevate his performances further in the upcoming 2023 edition.
Riyan Parag, a member of India’s victorious 2018 U19 World Cup team, joined Rajasthan Royals for INR 20 lakh in the final round of the IPL 2019 auction. Son of former Assam cricketer Parag Das and renowned swimmer Mithu Baruah, Riyan possesses strong hitting abilities. Despite modest performances in IPL 2020 and 2021, he made history as the youngest player to score an IPL fifty. RR’s significant investment of INR 3.8 crore in the mega auction reflects their confidence in his potential. With their reunion, Riyan is expected to take on a more prominent role in the team.
Kunal Rathore is an emerging cricketer known for his explosive batting skills. Born on June 12, 1997, in India, Rathore has impressed with his performances in domestic cricket. He made his debut in List A cricket in 2019 and quickly gained attention for his aggressive style of play. Rathore’s ability to score quick runs and his prowess in white-ball cricket have earned him recognition as a promising talent. He continues to hone his skills and is considered a player to watch for his potential to make an impact at higher levels of the game.
Donovan Ferreira is a rising cricket talent hailing from South Africa. Born on March 18, 2000, Ferreira has showcased his skills as a right-arm fast bowler and a handy lower-order batsman. He made his debut in domestic cricket in 2018 and has since been a consistent performer for his team. Ferreira’s ability to generate pace and movement with the ball, coupled with his batting resilience, has earned him recognition among cricket enthusiasts. With a promising career ahead, Ferreira is poised to make a significant impact in South African cricket and beyond.
Rajasthan Royals boast a formidable spin attack led by the experienced R. Ashwin. Alongside Yuzvendra Chahal, they form a potent spin duo that poses a challenge for opposing batsmen. Ashwin’s impressive track record in Test cricket speaks volumes about his skills, as he continues to break records and make significant contributions to his team’s success. In the 2022 season, Ashwin showcased his all-round abilities, scoring 191 runs and taking 12 wickets, instrumental in RR’s journey to the final. With his strategic thinking and vast array of bowling variations, Ashwin remains a player to watch out for, capable of turning the game in his team’s favor.
Kuldeep Sen, a right-arm fast bowler hailing from Madhya Pradesh, is set to experience the excitement of the world’s biggest T20 league after being signed by Rajasthan Royals for INR 20 lakhs. Sen brings valuable experience from playing 16 first-class matches, 5 List A games, and 18 T20 matches, showcasing his versatility across different formats of the game. His inclusion in the RR squad reflects the team’s strategy to strengthen their bowling attack with promising talents like Sen.
Navdeep Saini stands out as a promising fast bowler in India, consistently reaching speeds exceeding 140 kmph. His standout performances for Delhi, including their run to the Ranji Trophy final in 2017-18, drew attention, leading to his acquisition by Delhi Daredevils in the IPL’s tenth edition. In the 2018 Player Auction, Royal Challengers Bangalore secured him for INR 3 crore after a fierce bidding war. Now, Rajasthan Royals have signed him for INR 2.6 crore, recognizing his potential impact. A strong season could catapult Navdeep back into national team contention, especially after his last appearance for India in Sri Lanka in June.
Sandeep Sharma, a skilled right-arm medium pacer representing Punjab, gained recognition during the 2012 Under-19 ICC Cricket World Cup. His impactful performance in the final, taking four wickets, contributed significantly to India’s victory and earned him the title of joint-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 12 scalps. Making his mark in first-class cricket since 2011, he secured a contract with Kings XI Punjab for IPL 2013 and was retained in the 2014 auction. Praised for his swing bowling, Sandeep played a vital role for Punjab, notably taking 17 wickets in the 2017 IPL season. His partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar at Sunrisers Hyderabad showcased his adaptability and added variations to his bowling arsenal. With an impressive IPL record of 114 wickets from 104 matches, Sandeep Sharma’s inclusion by Rajasthan Royals for the 2023 season as a replacement for Prasidh Krishna highlights his experience and potential impact in the upcoming campaign.
The addition of the left-arm pacer to MI’s squad in the 2020 season brought excitement and a wealth of experience as a senior international cricketer. Boult’s performance in the 13th edition was outstanding, especially alongside Jasprit Bumrah with the new ball. Now, RR has successfully secured him through bidding, acquiring him for INR 8 crore, making him their third-most expensive buy after Prasidh Krishna and Shimron Hetmyer in the mega auction for the 15th season. Boult’s fielding skills are remarkable, known for taking astounding catches. With Prasidh, Nathan, and Navdeep Saini, Boult forms the new pace battery for RR.
Could he be RR’s most thrilling addition for the 15th season? With R. Ashwin and Chahal in their lineup, have RR discovered a winning formula? RR has prioritized spin bowling by recruiting Chahal, India’s key wrist spinner in limited-overs cricket. Chahal’s journey began with an impressive performance in the 2009 National Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy, where he emerged as the top wicket-taker with 34 scalps. He joined Mumbai Indians in 2011, showcasing his skills in the Champions League T20 final. His debut for Team India came during the Zimbabwe tour in 2016, followed by impactful performances against England in T20Is. Known for his variations, Chahal’s match-winning abilities led RR to secure him for INR 6.50 crore at the auction, signaling their focus on bolstering their spin attack.
Adam Zampa is an Australian cricketer known for his exceptional leg-spin bowling skills. Born on March 31, 1992, in Australia, Zampa has represented his country in various formats of the game, showcasing his ability to deceive batsmen with his variations and control. He made his international debut in 2016 and quickly became a key player in Australia’s limited-overs squads. Zampa has also been a consistent performer in franchise cricket, playing for teams like Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. With his knack for taking crucial wickets and maintaining pressure on opponents, Zampa is a valuable asset for any team he represents.