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With the hype already on for IPL 2025, Rajasthan Royals (RR) will make their mark in the tournament with a balanced side that has a mix of experience and promising young guns. With the dynamic leader Sanju Samson at the helm, RR are looking to regain their position as one of Indian cricket’s best franchises.
With the team including game-changers such as batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and veteran spinner like Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, the team is ready to face different challenges on the ground. Moreover, the addition of world-class pacers such as Jofra Archer and Fazalhaq Farooqi gives strength to their bowling line-up, and hence they are a strong team to face.
With their practice sessions in full swing for their opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23, the fans are waiting with bated breath to see how this exciting lineup will perform and if they can get their hands on their second IPL trophy. With high expectations and a good strategy, RR are set to make their mark in IPL 2025.
Rajasthan Royals’ strongest playing XI for IPL 2025 season:
1. Sanju Samson (c & wk)
- Role: Captain and wicketkeeper-batter
- Description: Sanju Samson has been the backbone of the Rajasthan Royals since he came in. With over 3,400 runs in the IPL, he is known for his aggressive batting style and the skill to hold up the innings. As captain, he will lead from the front and make strategic choices in tricky situations.
- Impact: Samson’s temperament and composure in high-pressure situations are crucial to RR’s success. His capability to score quickly and guide young cricketers will play a key role in shaping the team’s temperament.
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
Role: Opener batter
Description: The rising star has already turned heads in the IPL with his big-hitting prowess. Jaiswal is the fastest to reach a fifty in IPL history, achieved off only 13 deliveries, reflecting his aggressive style in the top-order. Impact: His capacity to dominate bowlers right from the beginning can give RR early runs and momentum and enable them to achieve or chase high scores easily.
3. Nitish Rana
- Role: Middle-order batter
- Description: Nitish Rana provides strength and maturity to RR’s middle order. With his reputation of strike rotation and accelerating whenever the moment arises, he can mold his game according to match situations.
- Impact: Rana can play anchor and attacking roles due to his versatility, and that makes him a key player in delivering a good batting performance throughout the innings.
4. Riyan Parag
- Role: All-rounder
- Description: Riyan Parag has been promising as a young all-rounder who could score runs with bat and take wickets with ball. His recent performances in domestic cricket have unearthed his match-winning potential.
- Impact: Parag’s inclusion will be crucial in providing balance to the team, especially in nail-biting encounters where he can steady the innings or take the scoreboard forward.
5. Dhruv Jurel
- Role: Wicketkeeper-battter
- Description: Dhruv Jurel is a brilliant young cricketer who has provided flashes of brilliance over the previous seasons. He must make serious contributions to the game finishing and add depth to the batting lineup.
- Impact: Jurel, if he can deliver regular performances, will play a pivotal role in reversing the fortunes of matches in decisive situations.
6. Shimron Hetmyer
- Role: Finisher
- Description: The West Indian big-hitter is renowned for his powerful hitting skills, especially in the death overs. Hetmyer has the capability to turn matches with his attacking batting and capability to clear boundaries with ease.
- Impact: Having him at No. 6 gives RR a solid finishing option, where they can ensure maximum scoring in the last overs.
7. Wanindu Hasaranga
- Role: Spinner
- Description: The Sri Lankan all-rounder contributes experience and expertise to RR’s team. Hasaranga is famous for his leg-spin and capacity to chip in handy runs in the lower order.
- Impact: His twin talents make him an essential player who can turn games around with both bat and ball, particularly on spinning tracks.
8. Maheesh Theekshana
- Role: Spinner
- Description: Theekshana brings diversity to RR’s bowling lineup through his left-arm orthodox spin. He has delivered well in middle overs, grabbing key wickets while keeping runs conceded in check.
- Impact: His economy as well as wicket-taking ability will be pivotal in putting pressure on rival teams at key stages of matches.
9. Jofra Archer
- Role: Fast bowler
- Description: Archer is T20 cricket’s most dangerous bowler when fit. Pacer and yorker specialist, he can give match-winning spells with both old and new balls.
- Impact: Archer’s addition greatly improves RR’s bowling attack, particularly power plays and death overs where he can turn the game around.
10. Sandeep Sharma
- Role: Fast bowler
- Description: Sandeep Sharma has the experience and expertise of a dependable fast bowler who can swing the ball in the initial stages. He is capable of giving important breakthroughs in power plays and can also bowl well in death overs.
- Impact: His wicket-taking ability at decisive moments will prove to be essential in crafting wins for RR in IPL 2025.
11. Akash Madhwal
- Role: Fast bowler
- Description: Akash Madhwal has become one of the new-age fast bowlers who specialize in hitting yorkers and hitting sheer pace. He took excellent bowling figures in earlier seasons and gave glimpses of his match-winning potential.
- Impact: Madhwal can transform games by picking up important overs at the time of greatest need, particularly in closely fought games.
Also READ: IPL 2025 – Sanju Samson reflects on Rajasthan Royals’ tough decision to release Jos Buttler
Impact player choices for Rajasthan Royals
1. Fazalhaq Farooqi
- Role: Fast Bowler
- Description: Fazalhaq Farooqi is an Afghan cricketer who has established himself in a short period of time in international cricket. A left-arm medium pacer, Farooqi has picked up 154 wickets in 115 T20 matches with a brilliant bowling average of 18.70 and a strike rate of 15.9. His skills of consistently delivering yorkers and putting pressure on batters make him an asset for any team.
- Impact: Farooqi’s addition as an Impact Player can give RR a strategic boost, particularly at crucial stages of matches. His ability to take wickets at key moments and his success in death overs will be crucial in assisting RR in winning matches.
2. Kumar Kartikeya
Role: Spinner
Description: Kumar Kartikeya is recruited by RR from Madhya Pradesh, where he was one of the leading wicket-takers in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25. The left-arm spinner has performed well, having taken 17 wickets from only 10 matches in the tournament, with his capability of taking wickets regularly.
Impact: Kartikeya’s contribution as an Impact Player can give RR a tactical edge, particularly on turning pitches. His skill of breaking associations and managing runs in the middle overs will prove vital to RR’s bowling approach throughout the season.
3. Vaibhav Suryavanshi
- Role: Batter
- Description: Vaibhav Suryavanshi is the teen sensation who made it big in the Under-19 Asia Cup, where he played match-winning innings against powerful sides like Sri Lanka and UAE. With a batting average of 44 and a strike rate of 145.45 in T20s, he is all set to create history by being one of the youngest cricketers to play in an IPL match.
- Impact: Suryavanshi’s aggressive batting approach makes him a thrilling choice as an Impact Player. He can be introduced towards the end of matches to push scoring and shift the balance of games in RR’s favour.
