One-time IPL champions Rajasthan Royals (RR) have announced their retained players for the IPL 2025 season. 

Rajasthan Royals stunned the cricket fans by winning the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the 2008 edition. Before resetting their tough and challenging image in recent years, the Royals hugely struggled. 

In the last three seasons, Rajasthan Royals reached the playoffs for two seasons, including the IPL 2024, where they were eliminated from the Qualifier 2. In the IPL 2022, the Royals reached the final and lost against the tournament debutant Gujarat Titans to finish as the runners-up. 

Sanju Samson has been leading Rajasthan Royals since the 2021 edition. Under his captaincy, the Royals are growing strongly. 

Rajasthan Royals player retention

Rajasthan Royals spent INR 79 crore to retain six players. They retained five capped players and one uncapped player. Now, they can use the remaining INR 41 crore to fill up the squad at the mega auction.

(Capped)

Sanju Samson (Indian): INR 18 Crore

Yashasvi Jaiswal (Indian): INR 18 Crore

Riyan Parag (Indian): INR 14 Crore

Dhruv Jurel (Indian): INR 14 Crore

Shimron Hetmyer (Guyanese): INR 11 Crore

(Uncapped)

Sandeep Sharma (Indian): INR 4 Crore

Right-to-Match (RTM) card availability for the mega auction

None

The Eliminator of the IPL 2024 season will be played between Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. However, Rajasthan Royals won the toss and opted to bowl first.

RR won eight games so far and lost five as well. On the other hand, RCB won seven games so far and lost as many. However, both teams will try to win the game and keep the momentum. This is going to be an exciting match for both teams as well.

ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan shares MS Dhoni’s plans after IPL 2024

IPL 2024: RR vs RCB, Eliminator: Who said what at the toss?

Faf du Plessis: Would’ve done the same. Watching the game last night, there was assistance for the seam bowlers early on. This looks on the drier side with some fake grass on top. We’ve had that mindset right through. Focussing on your own skills, being true to the way you want to play. Last game against CSK was an unbelievable one. Less is more. People think when you get to the knockout stages, you need to be Superman. It’s just showing the boys that you trust them. Same team.

Sanju Samson: Would like to bowl first looking at the conditions and the wicket. There was dew last night. It’s all about the mindset. Really excited to come and play in this fabulous stadium. Great energy here. Looking at what has cricket taught us. When you have bad days, need to have the character and confidence. That has been the challenging part – fitness and injuries. Hetty comes back.

Playing XIs:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis(c), Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik(w), Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Yash Dayal, Mohammed Siraj, Lockie Ferguson

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Impact Subs: Swapnil Singh, Anuj Rawat, Suyash Prabhudessai, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Himanshu Sharma

Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sanju Samson(w/c), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Rovman Powell, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal

Rajasthan Royals Impact Subs: Shubham Dubey, Donovan Ferreira, Nandre Burger, Shimron Hetmyer, Tanush Kotian

The 70th match of the IPL 2024 season will be played between Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday, May 19, 2024. However, Kolkata Knight Riders won the toss and opted to bowl first.

RR won eight games so far and lost five as well. On the other hand, KKR won nine games so far and they lost three games as well. However, both teams will try to win the game and keep the momentum on. This is going to be an exciting match for both teams as well.

ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan shares MS Dhoni’s plans after IPL 2024

IPL 2024: RR vs KKR, Match 70: Who said what at the toss?

Sanju Samson: Would have bowled first too. Last pitch was a lot drier, this one has a bit more moisture so we wanted to bowl as well. We made last minute changes. I think Nandre Burger might come in and rest is the same.

Shreyas Iyer: It’s a seven over game, we will get a fair idea of how it plays. Anukul Roy comes in.

Playing XIs:

Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sanju Samson(w/c), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Rovman Powell, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Avesh Khan, Nandre Burger

Rajasthan Royals Impact Subs: Shubham Dubey, Keshav Maharaj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Sen, Donovan Ferreira

Kolkata Knight Riders: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer(c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Mitchell Starc, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy

Kolkata Knight Riders Impact Subs: Vaibhav Arora, Manish Pandey, Nitish Rana, KS Bharat, Sherfaine Rutherford

The 61st match of the IPL 2024 season will be played between Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, May 12, 2024. However, Rajasthan Royals won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Chennai Super Kings won six games so far and lost six as well. On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals won eight games so far and they lost three games as well. However, both teams will try to win the game and keep the momentum on. This is going to be an exciting match for both teams as well.

ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan shares MS Dhoni’s plans after IPL 2024

IPL 2024: CSK vs RR, Match 61: Who said what at the toss?

Ruturaj Gaikwad: Dew is not a factor, doesn’t matter if we bat or ball first. The pitch will remain the same throughout the game. In these conditions you need to prepare mentally. We spoke about the areas we need to improve. You need to be in a good head space and deliver what’s expected. We got the right balance, Rachin and I will open, Mitchell will bat at number 3. Theekshana comes in for Santner. Need to believe and back yourself. We want to win every game possible, you got to have the right mindset.

Sanju Samson: We would like to bat first. Looks like a decent wicket, don’t expect any dew. Change of conditions and weather, got time to adapt to it. Need to give it all in this game. Need to stick to what has worked for us. Need to do our basic processes, just taking care of the controllables. Need to perform as a batsman, results have to go your way to feel happy. Jurel is back.

Playing XIs:

Chennai Super Kings: Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Daryl Mitchell, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (w), Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh, Maheesh Theekshana

Chennai Super Kings Impact Subs: Ajinkya Rahane, Sameer Rizvi, Prashant Solanki, Ajay Mandal, Mukesh Choudhary

Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (w/c), Riyan Parag, Shubham Dubey, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal

Rajasthan Royals Impact Subs: Rovman Powell, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Nandre Burger, Tanush Kotian, Keshav Maharaj

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a showcase of cricketing brilliance, with players from around the world converging to exhibit their prowess. Among the league’s luminaries, Jos Buttler recently distinguished himself by scoring an unbeaten century against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), solidifying his position as a premier batsman. This extraordinary feat not only advanced his team, Rajasthan Royals (RR), to a thrilling victory but also elevated him above Chris Gayle in the record books.

Jos Buttler’s Journey to IPL Stardom

Jos Buttler’s cricketing journey is a testament to his relentless hard work and innate talent. Having started his career in England, Buttler quickly made a name for himself with his aggressive batting style. Buttler blasted his way to an unbeaten 60-ball 107 as Rajasthan pulled off the IPL’s biggest run chase chase by gunning down 224/8.

See Also: Netizens can’t stop praising Buttler for RR chase

His entry into the IPL marked the beginning of a new chapter, where his ability to play high-impact innings became evident. Over the years, his role as a key player for Rajasthan Royals has been cemented by numerous match-winning performances.

Buttler’s century against KKR not only changed the course of the match but also significantly boosted the team’s morale. His teammates and the management lauded his ability to rise to the occasion and deliver when it mattered most.

The Record-Breaking Century

In a high-stakes game against KKR, Buttler showcased his exceptional skill by scoring 107 runs off just 60 balls. This match is now noted as the IPL’s biggest run chase, with Rajasthan successfully chasing down a daunting total of 224 runs. Buttler’s innings was punctuated by exquisite stroke play and strategic acumen, making it a spectacle for cricket aficionados.

Historical Context

Before Buttler, Chris Gayle was celebrated for his six centuries in the IPL, a record that stood as a benchmark of batting excellence. Buttler’s latest century has pushed him to the second position on the list of most hundreds in IPL history, just one behind Virat Kohli.

Virat Kohli’s Influence and Record

Virat Kohli remains the top century-maker in the IPL with eight hundreds. Buttler and Kohli’s performances offer a fascinating study of contrasting batting styles—Kohli’s calculated aggression versus Buttler’s dynamic explosiveness.

Most IPL hundreds
8 – Virat Kohli
7 – Jos Buttler
6 – Chris Gayle
4 – KL Rahul
4 – David Warner
4 – Shane Watson

Most hundreds in IPL run-chases
3 – Jos Buttler
2 – Virat Kohli
2 – Ben Stokes

Multiple hundreds against a team (IPL)
3 – KL Rahul vs MI
2 – Jos Buttler vs KKR
2 – Jos Buttler vs RCB
2 – Chris Gayle vs PBKS
2 – Virat Kohli vs GL
2 – David Warner vs KKR

Most T20 hundreds in a winning cause
16 – Chris Gayle
8 – Babar Azam
8 – Jos Buttler
Each of Buttler’s eight T20 hundreds have come in a winning cause.

Jos Buttler, the dynamic batter from Rajasthan Royals (RR), scripted history on Saturday as he climbed to the eighth position in the list of highest run-getters in T20 cricket. His stellar performance during RR’s Indian Premier League (IPL) clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Jaipur not only showcased his batting prowess but also underscored his significance in the world of cricket.

Buttler Surpasses Rohit Sharma

In a sensational batting display, Jos Buttler outshone Mumbai Indians (MI) and Indian cricket icon Rohit Sharma to secure the eighth position in the T20 run-scoring charts. Buttler’s monumental achievement came during his 100th IPL match, during which he dazzled the audience with a scintillating unbeaten century.

See Also: IPL 2024: Key points behind the win of RR against RCB

Buttler’s Stellar Performance in IPL 2024

Buttler’s century scored off just 58 balls with nine fours and four sixes, not only propelled him up the run-scoring ladder but also showcased his ability to dominate the game. His remarkable innings played at a strike rate of over 172, left a lasting impression on cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

With this century, Buttler now boasts a staggering record of 11,281 runs in 407 T20 matches, with an average of 34.71 and a strike rate exceeding 144. His illustrious career includes seven centuries and 80 fifties, with a highest score of 124.

Buttler’s Long-awaited Sixth IPL Century

Buttler’s century in his 100th IPL match marked a significant turnaround in his IPL journey. After a period of struggle, including three ducks and inconsistent performances, Buttler showcased his class with a memorable century against RCB.

Notably, Buttler’s sixth IPL century ties him with West Indies legend Chris Gayle for the second-most centuries in IPL history. With just three more centuries, Buttler could surpass Virat Kohli’s record of eight IPL tons.

After winning the game against RCB, Buttler said that the game keeps challenging players even if they have played it for a long time, and he felt a big relief after his knock against RCB.

“Even, how long you have played the game. It always keeps challenging you. It keeps sort of testing your mind. Sometimes there is no reason why your perceived form comes back. I feel a big relief today and it is nice to contribute,” said Buttler.

Buttler’s ‘Player of the Match’ Tally

In addition to his batting exploits, Buttler also clinched his 11th ‘Player of the Match’ award for Rajasthan Royals, surpassing veteran Ajinkya Rahane’s tally of 10 awards. This accolade further solidifies Buttler’s status as a match-winner for his franchise.

Buttler’s Remarkable Contribution to RR

Buttler’s century not only secured victory for RR but also propelled him to become the franchise’s second-highest run-getter in all T20 cricket. His remarkable tally of 2,831 runs at an average of 42.25 and a strike rate exceeding 148 underscores his invaluable contribution to RR’s success.

Rajasthan Royals registered a 6-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur in the 19th match of the ongoing IPL 2024. Jos Buttler smashed a stunning hundred and helped his side reach the finish line.

However, Rajasthan Royals won the toss and opted to bowl first. Put into bat, RCB openers Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis got off to a flying start. Both the batters took on every Rajasthan Royals bowler and added a record 125 runs for the opening wicket. However, in this partnership, Kohli was the front-runner and the captain successfully played the anchor’s role as well. He got out after scoring 44 off 33 with 2 fours and as many sixes.

Virat Kohli smashed his 8th IPL ton

On the other hand, Virat Kohli tried to steady the ship with other bowlers but no one could support him as their upper and middle-order batters got out on single-digit scores. However, that hardly bothered Kohli who smashed his 8th IPL hundred which came off 67 balls.

ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan shares MS Dhoni’s plans after IPL 2024

However, Virat Kohli leads the chart of batters with the most tons in IPL history with seven centuries in his career so far as well. Meanwhile, the knock also marked his highest score against RR in the IPL as well. While Virat Kohli holds the overall record with eight centuries, his former RCB teammate Chris Gayle stands second with six tons as well.

David Warner, Shane Watson and KL Rahul have four tons each to their name while AB de Villiers, Sanju Samson and Shubman Gill have three centuries as well. And, Kohli remained unbeaten at 113 off 72 with 12 fours and 4 sixes as well. Thanks to his swashbuckling knock, RCB managed to post a decent total of 183 for 3 in their allotted 20 overs as well.

Jos Buttler smashed a stunning hundred

While chasing, Rajasthan Royals got a big blow as their opener Yashasvi Jaiswal got out for a 2-ball duck. However, Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson studied the ship in the middle and played quality cricket, adding 148 runs as well. Sanju Samson played a quickfire knock (69 off 42) with 8 fours and 2 sixes before getting out.

His dismissal brought the in-form Riyan Parag in the middle but he failed to contribute. Dhruv Jurel too couldn’t score whereas Jos Buttler found support in Shimron Hetmyer. They both scored the rest of the runs and sealed the deal for Rajasthan Royals. Buttler smashed an amazing hundred, remaining unbeaten at 100 off 58 with 9 fours and 4 sixes whereas Hetmyer scored a 6-ball 11. With this win, Rajasthan Royals registered their fourth win in the tournament as well.

IPL 2024 Points Table After RR vs RCB Match

As the IPL 2024 season unfolds, the competition intensifies not only between teams but also among individual players vying for the coveted Orange and Purple Caps. Let’s delve into the latest standings and performances in the race for these prestigious awards.

Orange Cap Holder

In the current IPL season, the race for the Orange Cap has witnessed several players showcasing their batting prowess. After the recent MI vs RR match, Riyan Parag from RR claimed the top position by scoring a magnificent 54 runs, bringing his total tally to 181 runs. Parag’s stellar performance propelled him to the forefront, closely followed by Virat Kohli from RCB, who shares the same run tally but ranks second due to a slightly lower average.

See Also: Rajasthan Royals beat Mumbai Indians by 6 wickets; Points Table updated

Heinrich Klaasen from SRH follows in third place with 167 runs. Shikhar Dhawan from PBKS slips to fourth with 137 runs. David Warner from DC holds fifth place with 130 runs.

Most Runs in IPL 2024

Purple Cap Holder

Mustafizur Rahman’s stellar bowling performances have earned him the Purple Cap in IPL 2024. His skillful variations and ability to claim crucial wickets under pressure have been pivotal in Chennai Super Kings’ campaign. Mustafizur Rahman From CSK emerged as the Purple Cap holder in IPL 2024 with 7 wickets in just 3 matches. Yuzvendra Chahal Of RR came in 2nd Position with 6 wickets after taking 3 wickets haul against MI. Mohit Sharma Of GT comes in 3rd place after his 3 wickets haul against SRH. Khaleel Ahmed Of DC is placed on 4th position with 3 wickets. Trent Boult of RR came in 5th position with 3 wickets haul against MI.

Most Wickets in IPL 2024

TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has witnessed some significant squad changes, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) making key replacements to bolster their respective lineups. Allah Ghazanfar and Keshav Maharaj added a new dimension to the teams, sparking excitement among fans and pundits alike.

Allah Ghazanfar Joins Kolkata Knight Riders

To strengthen their spin department, Kolkata Knight Riders have named Allah Ghazanfar the replacement for the injured Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The 16-year-old offspinner from Afghanistan brings youthful energy and potential to the KKR squad, marking a significant addition to their roster.

See Also: IPL 2024: Netizens welcome Riyan Parag 2.0

With appearances in 2 ODIs and a handful of T20s and List A matches, Ghazanfar has showcased his talent and potential to become a future star. His inclusion in the KKR squad adds depth to their spin bowling options and provides them with a promising talent for the future. He joins KKR for his base price of INR 20 Lac.

Reason for Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s Replacement

The decision to replace Mujeeb Ur Rahman was necessitated by his injury, which left a void in the KKR lineup. Rahman’s absence is a blow to the team, but the addition of Ghazanfar provides them with a fresh perspective and new opportunities in the tournament.

Keshav Maharaj’s Inclusion in Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals have bolstered their bowling attack by adding South African cricketer Keshav Maharaj to their squad instead of Prasidh Krishna. Maharaj brings a wealth of experience and versatility to the team, enhancing their options in both bowling and batting departments.

Keshav Maharaj, a seasoned campaigner in international cricket, boasts an impressive record across all formats. South African cricketer, has played 27 T20Is, 44 ODIs and 50 Tests and has scalped 237 wickets in international cricket. Additionally, he has played 159 T20s, picking up 130 wickets and can chip in with some handy runs. RR have brought him on board for his base price of INR 50 Lac. His presence will support the team’s existing spin options and strengthen their bowling lineup.

Reason for Prasidh Krishna’s Replacement

Prasidh Krishna’s absence due to injury prompted Rajasthan Royals to seek a replacement to maintain the balance of their squad. While Krishna’s absence will be felt, Maharaj’s inclusion offers the team added depth and flexibility in their bowling strategy.

Rajasthan Royals faced a setback with the withdrawal of star Australian spinner Adam Zampa due to personal reasons. Zampa’s absence leaves a void in the team’s spin department, but with Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal in the squad, they need more resources to fill the gap.

Role of Keshav Maharaj in Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals will likely utilize Keshav Maharaj as a backup spin option alongside their primary spinners. With his experience and skill set, Maharaj adds depth to the team’s bowling lineup and provides valuable support in crucial situations.

Rajasthan Royals updated squad: Sanju Samson (c & wk), Jos Buttler (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal, Riyan Parag, Navdeep Saini, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Trent Boult, Donovan Ferreira, Kuldeep Sen, Kunal Rathore, Avesh Khan, Rovman Powell, Shubham Dubey, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Abid Mushtaq, Nandre Burger, Keshav Maharaj.

Kolkata Knight Riders updated squad: Shreyas Iyer (c), Nitish Rana, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Varun Chakravarthy, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Suyash Sharma, Vaibhav Arora, KS Bharat (wk), Chetan Sakariya, Mitchell Starc, Angkrish Raghvanshi, Ramandeep Singh, Sherfane Rutherford, Manish Pandey, Gus Atkinson, Sakib Hussain, Allah Ghazanfar. 

The inaugural IPL champions, Rajasthan Royals, would aim for their second title, as they have made a well-balanced squad of power hitters and bowlers who can take the game deeper. Under the leadership of wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson, the team is all set to display their top-notch cricketing calibre and aim for the high. With the team retaining most of the squad, the Royals management has made sensible picks to bolster the middle-order batters and the pacers department. Here are the top four players from the Men in Pink squad to check out. 

Yashasvi Jaiswal

Yashasvi Jaiswal has proved to be the epitome of the Indian cricket team’s rising future. Jaiswal is touted as the next big thing in the cricketing fraternity with his stellar left-hand batting performance. With a shaky start in his IPL stint, the Rajasthan Royals franchise remained confident in his abilities. It retained him ahead of the big auction, making him the second youngest player.

Jaiswal’s form improved in the following years, and he scored many runs on the domestic circuit, where he had the 5th highest run score (625 Runs in 14 Matches) of the previous edition. And not to forget his memorable debut for the Indian squad, where his IPL performance gave him the kickstart.

Dhruv Jurel

Came into the limelight as an Impact Player, Dhruv Jurel’s calibre has been the talking point amongst the cricket fanatics in the previous edition. Dhruv knows no limitations, is employed as a finisher, and has thrived in this capacity. He has 152 runs scored and a strike rate of over 170 in 11 innings of batting.

Numbers only tell part of the story since making an impact as a finisher is one of the most challenging challenges in limited-overs cricket. His potential is terrific, and he is one of the most impactful players in this year’s IPL. 

See also: IPL 2024: SWOT Analysis of Rajasthan Royals

Rovman Powell

The inaugural edition champions have acquired the services of Rovman Powell, a hard-hitting batsman from West Indies, for INR 7.4 crore. The Caribbean will provide a lot of diversity to RR’s hitting lineup. Notably, he has been a prominent player in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), making critical contributions to his clubs & giving him a window of opportunities.

The 30-year-old has been a part of the IPL since 2022, where he played 17 games and accumulated 257 runs, including a fifty. However, the star signing is looking forward to putting out his best this time as a role of power-hitter.

Nandre Burger 

After making his debut last year, Nandre Burger began to feel at ease in international cricket. Since then, he has wowed the cricket fraternity by demonstrating his ability to swing the ball, making him an effective bowling weapon. While the 28-year-old is not a household name, he does have the necessary talents and ingredients to achieve quickly.

The Rajasthan Royals are excited to discover the latent potential of South African internationals, where the left-arm speedster can threaten batters in seam-friendly circumstances and is undoubtedly one of the pacers to watch in the upcoming season and have bid him for his base price of INR 50 lakh during the auction.