Can Dravid’s Rajasthan Royals Finally Break Their Title Drought? | Cricbuzz.com

**IPL 2025: Rajasthan Royals Team Analysis – Can Dravid Propel Rajasthan Royals to Title Glory?**

*Authored by Aayush Puthran*

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Sanju Samson, the Rajasthan Royals’ linchpin, is poised for a comeback after undergoing surgery on a fractured right index finger ©BCCI.

**What’s New with the Rajasthan Royals This Season?**

Rahul Dravid, an esteemed figure in cricket, has resumed his role as head coach, aiming squarely for the IPL trophy. With a history of steering the Indian national team to success under similar circumstances, Dravid is a beacon of hope for the Royals as they strive to recapture the IPL title they last secured in 2008. An added strength in their coaching arsenal is batting coach Vikram Rathour.

The Rajasthan Royals, maximizing their six retention slots, have undergone significant modifications beyond the coaching team. Jos Buttler, the franchise’s third-leading run-scorer, has exited, as have spin maestros Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin, along with fast bowler Trent Boult. Despite releasing seasoned bowlers, the Royals are unlikely to fret over their bowling setup. The management has prudently reinvested in youthful, comparable replacements and bolstered their ranks with prominent Indian pace options, welcoming back Jofra Archer into the fold.

While their bowling contingent offers a variety of combinations suited to different conditions, perennial batting challenges remain, marked by a lack of quality reinforcements and unreliable lower-order power hitting. A focal point will undoubtedly be their investment in Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a promising acquisition at just 13 years old.

**Full Squad:**

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c/wk), Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Kunal Singh Rathore, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Madhwal, Sandeep Sharma, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Maheesh Theekshana, Ashok Sharma, Kumar Kartikeya, Kwena Maphaka, Yudhvir Singh.

**Provisional Best XI:**

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c/wk), Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Shubham Dubey, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Madhwal/Sandeep Sharma, Fazalhaq Farooqi/Maheesh Theekshana.

**Injury and Availability Updates:**

Sanju Samson, having recuperated from finger surgery sustained during a T20 series against England, has reportedly passed his fitness test for batting, pending formal clearance from the National Cricket Academy. Additionally, Tushar Deshpande, recovering from an ankle surgery since September 2024, has been absent from the domestic circuit for quite some time.

**Player Under the Spotlight:**

Nitish Rana, despite consistent IPL performances post his international debut, finds his career trajectory not aligning with expectations. Having shifted from his home association and featuring sporadically in KKR’s title-winning run last season, Rana aims to reaffirm his standing following a challenging domestic season.

**Hopeful Prospect:**

Dhruv Jurel, the talented wicketkeeper-batsman, remains a critical component in pressure situations, a role previously unmastered by Riyan Parag. Despite his modest T20 statistics, the franchise has demonstrated considerable confidence in Jurel, retaining him for a substantial INR 14 Crore. A successful season could herald a pivotal phase in his T20 journey.

**Fixture Schedule:**

Rajasthan Royals’ match schedule, though demanding in travel, features games spaced with an interval, including back-to-back fixtures in Guwahati and Jaipur. A significant breather awaits post their eighth league match from April 19 to 24.

**Home Venue Insights:**

Match outcomes at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, one of the Royals’ home grounds this season, indicate a negligible influence of toss across recent encounters. Interestingly, pace bowlers might find this venue challenging, as evidenced by their recent average and strike rate statistics compared to other IPL locations.

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**Related IPL 2025 Developments:**
– Match penalties for slow over-rates will not apply to captains.
– Jasprit Bumrah has resumed training, sparking hopes for a swift return.
– The saliva ban has been lifted, and the second innings will feature two new balls.
– Riyan Parag steps up as Royals’ skipper for the first three games.
– Mumbai Indians aim to overturn their opening game woes without Bumrah.
– Royal Challengers Bangalore encounter familiar hurdles under a new captain.