TATA IPL 2022: RR pick top pacers, spinners, top-order batters; middle-order only area of concern

Updated: Feb 17, 2022

Rajasthan Royals (RR) full squad details, analysis, list of bought players at auction and possible playing XI for IPL 2022.

Tata IPL 2022_ Rajasthan Royals (RR) full squad breakdown and analysis after IPL 2022 Auction. Rajasthan Royals Full list of players bought in auction. (Image ©BCCI_IPL) — Rajasthan Royals (RR) think tank during the IPL 2022 Auction. (Image ©BCCI/IPL)

With Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal already retained, Rajasthan Royals (RR) entered the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega-auction with a purse of INR 62 crores. IPL 2022 two-day mega-auction was completed on February 12 and 13, 2022 in Bengaluru. The 10-team event picked their players to play the cash-rich league this year.

Let's have a look at the team balance of Rajasthan Royals:

Rajasthan Royals complete Squad

Sanju Samson (c) (Rs 14 crore), Jos Buttler (Rs 10 crore), Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rs 4 crore), Prasidh Krishna (Rs 10 crore), Devdutt Padikkal (Rs 7.75 crore), Ravichandran Ashwin (Rs 5 crore), Yuzvendra Chahal (Rs 6.50 crore), Shimron Hetmyer (Rs 8.50 crore), Trent Boult (Rs 8 crore), Riyan Parag (Rs 3.80 crore), KC Cariappa (Rs 30 lakh), Tejas Baroka (Rs 20 lakh), Anunay Singh (Rs 20 lakh), Kuldeep Sen (Rs 20 lakh), Dhruv Jurel (Rs 20 lakh), Kuldip Yadav (Rs 20 lakh), Shubham Garhwal (Rs 20 lakh), Nathan Coulter-Nile (Rs 2 crore), Rassie van der Dussen (Rs 1 crore), James Neesham (Rs 1.50 crore), Daryl Mitchell (Rs 75 lakh), Karun Nair (Rs 1.40 crore), Navdeep Saini (Rs 2.60 crore), Obed McCoy (Rs 75 lakh).

Top-Oder – Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson

The RR have a solid opening combination in Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson and Devdutt Paddikal. Jos Buttler is a seasoned T20 specialist for England. He opens the innings for his national side in the shortest format and is a permanent fixture for the RR camp.

Padikkal did well as opener for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) last year. He and Buttler would make a nice combination for RR. Sanju Samson bats at number three for RR but he can demote himself in case Yashasvi Jaiswal comes at three to balance the side. Samson at four with the middle-order would be an interesting call given Ben Stokes and David Miller are not the part of the squad any more.

It would be interesting to see the top-order combination in case they want to keep Yashasvi as a back up opener and keep Sanu Samson reserve at number three.

Middle-order – Karun Nair, Rassie van der Dussen, Daryl Mitchell, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer

Rassie van der Dussen, the South Africa batter who was brilliant against India in the ODI series, may take the number four position given Samson bat at three. Daryl Mitchell is a proven match winner for New Zealand, he may come handy in middle-overs in case RR looking for his all-round abilities.

Shimron Hetmyer who was bought for whopping INR 8.5 crore can play a vital role in RR's middle-order. Hetmyer had a brilliant season with Delhi Capitals last year. Hope he can replicate the same success with Rajasthan this year.

Karun Nair has the experience of playing in the middle-order. Depending on the situation, he can take up the responsibility of batting at number four or five. Nair played for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the middle-order but he wasn't at his best in his stint there. Now, he needs to deliver for his new franchise.

Dhruv Jurel is an uncapped Indian player. He might be used as a back-up player.

All-rounders – James Neesham, Riyan Parag, Anunay Singh, Shubham Garhwal, Ravichandran Ashwin

James Neesham is a quality all-rounder from New Zealand. His four overs are as crucial as his batting. He played for PBKS in IPL 2020 and Mumbai Indians last season. But in both the teams, his performance wasn't up to the mark. Hope he comes good with new franchise and deliver match winning performance.

Riyan Parag may continue bowling his part-time spin, which could be an extra option for RR apart from their regular spin bowlers. Riyan Parag played for the RR earlier as well and even in this edition, he can be the option for a batter cum spin bowler at number 5. Parag and Neesham will be the key players in the middle-order for RR as Anunay Singh and Shubham Garhwal will be back up options.

Ravichandran Ashwin adds balance to any team he goes. Four crucial overs plus 15-20 runs down the order, any captain would like to have such player. Depending on the balance of the side, Ashwin can play a key role at number 7.

Bowlers - Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Navdeep Saini, KC Kariappa, Obed McCoy, Kuldeep Sen, Kuldip Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Tejas Baroka, Nathan Coulter-Nile

RR has picked a good set of pace bowlers. Trent Boult will lead the pace attack for RR as he does for New Zealand and did for Mumbai Indians till the last season. Prasidh Krishna will be his new ball opening partner. Obed McCoy, left-arm pacer who'd be paying his first IPL can be used as a back-up option for Trent Boult.

Yuzvendra Chahal was seen in good bowling form in the recent series against West Indies. He would like to replicate the same form and continue troubling batters along with Ashwin in the middle-overs. Navdeep Saini can also partner with his pace in the middle overs. Nathan Coulter-Nile is another dangerous pacer who can create a magnificent impact but will mostly be kept as back-up option.

Rajasthan Royals can groom the other bowlers like Tejas Baroka, Kuldeep Sen, Kuldip Yadav and KC Kariappa in the league games. Obed McCoy can also be thought of as another bowling option when any one of the regular members of the squad needs rest.

Rajasthan Royals Possible XI for IPL 2022:

Jos Buttler (os), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson (C & WK), Shimron Hetmyer (os), Riyan Parag, Jamesh Neesham (os), Ravinchandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna, Trent Boult (os).

*os - overseas

What went wrong for the Royals?

Rajasthan Royals have a good team overall. They have options in the fast bowling department and openers. But the experienced players are missing from the middle-order. They needed someone to guide the innings if there was a collapse in the top or middle-order.

RR have picked just two quality International spinners. Ashwin and Chahal need to do the hard yards and the bulk of work in the middle overs. A good back up spinner could have added depth to spin department. Hope KC Kariappa proves his detractors wrong or Tejas Baroka gets a chance to showcase his googlies.

The 15th season of the tournament is likely to kick off on March 27. Even though the BCCI is yet to publish the full schedule, the games could take place in Mumbai and Pune behind close doors due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The detailed schedule of the tournament is yet to be announced.