IPL 2024 : SWOT Analysis of Rajasthan Royals (RR) Squad

The Rajasthan Royals squad for IPL 2024 consists of several talented players. The team is led by Sanju Samson and coached by Andrew McDonald. Some of the key players in the squad include Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, and Riyan Parag.

In 2023, Royals were considered one of the favourite teams to win the title but couldn’t qualify for the playoffs. The Men in Pink are set to win the coveted trophy in 2024, having purchased five players in the 2024 auction held in Dubai before the tournament.

Royals purchased Rovman Powell for INR 7.4 crore, making him the franchise's most expensive acquisition. Along with Powell, they also got South Africa’s left-arm pacer Nandre Burger. 

Now let's analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of the Rajasthan Royals squad for IPL 2024

Rajasthan Royals (RR) Strengths

Potent and star-studded top order

The Royals boast of some exceptional batters such as Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. With these batters at the top-order, the Rajasthan Royals expect powerful starts in most games. The Royals' success in the tournament mostly depends on the consistent rhythm of these three batters.

In the previous season, Yashasvi Jaiswal looked spectacular with his bat and ended up as the fifth-highest run-scorer with 625 runs in 14 games, at a magnificent strike rate of 163.61. Buttler couldn’t make the 2023 season big for himself but in 2024, he will look to complement Jaiswal. 

Captain Sanju Samson will play at number three and assist both openers in strengthening the team's top order. Both Buttler and Samson have been active in the RR squad since 2018 and their vast experience makes them a credible figure for the team.

Staggering spin department

Rajasthan Royals have Yuzvendra Chahal, Adam Zampa, and Ravichandran Ashwin in their squad. The Royals' spin department will be managed by these spinners who have demonstrated their proficiency in the T20 format over the years. 

They can be efficient in the middle-overs and tilt the balance of any game in their favor. The batters of other teams will need to be cautious when playing out these three spinners. They have extensive international cricket experience and are renowned for their ability to make batters dance to their tunes.

Zampa showcased his bowling skills during the 2023 World Cup, taking 23 wickets in 11 matches at an economy of 5.36. Talking about Ashwin and Chahal, both renowned Indian cricketers, are well-versed in Indian conditions and can potentially cause headaches to batters.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) Weaknesses

Lack of all-rounders

Rajasthan Royals has announced that they have parted ways with West Indies player Jason Holder before the 2024 auction. Following this decision, the team now has only Ashwin as an all-rounder. In the 2024 IPL edition, all teams will have at least two quality all-rounders, with Rajasthan Royals having only one player in the all-rounder role.

Shortage of economical pace bowlers

The Rajasthan Royals possess a high level of experience and speed in Trent Boult. He will also have Nandre Burger, who has recently demonstrated success in the international arena. However, the Royals can only use one of these bowlers in the playing XI due to the overseas restrictions of the IPL.

The other pacers, excluding the two mentioned, include Avesh Khan, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Sen, and Prasidh Krishna. All these bowlers have a history of leaking runs in various stages of the game. Their inability to manage the scoring rate may pose a potential weakness in critical situations.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) Opportunities

Re-establishing themselves as a power to recognise within IPL 

Sanju Samson and his team will have a chance to win the IPL title after 16 years. Reclaiming the title will re-establish them as one of the stronger units in the tournament. The first-ever IPL champions are set to aim for their second title in this edition.

A big opportunity for some players to break into India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad

The 2024 IPL edition presents a significant chance for some Rajasthan Royals players to secure tickets for the West Indies to play for India in the 2024 T20 World Cup. India stalwarts Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, and Yuzvendra Chahal will look to be at their best to enter India’s T20 World Cup squad.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) Threats

Out-of-form players

Rajasthan Royals primary concern will be the performance of their main players. Since October 2023, Jos Buttler has not demonstrated consistent performance with his bat.  The veteran smashed three fifties against the West Indies recently but those innings don't guarantee the resumption of his form.

Prasidh Krishna, set to return for RR in 2024, is also experiencing a lack of rhythm. In the five-match T20 International (T20I) series against Australia, he displayed lack of discipline and splurged a lot of runs. The Royals may face challenges in 2024 due to the subpar performance of both key players.

Powerful yet inconsistent middle-order

Rajasthan Royals already had Shimron Hetmyer as the mainstay in the middle-order. This year, Rovman Powell will be joining him. The two batters possess the potential to significantly alter the game's outcome through their powerful hitting skills. However both of them are struggling to maintain consistency over an extended period. 

If Powell and Hetmyer struggle with batting form, then a lot will depend on Dhruv Jurel to get them to robust finishes. The pressure of winning games single-handedly might be a burden for the young Jurel and will be a threat for the Royals in the tournament. 

Rajasthan Royals full squad for IPL 2024

Sanju Samson(c), Jos Buttler, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Donovan Ferreira, Kunal Rathore, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Sen, Navdeep Saini, Prasidh Krishna, Sandeep Sharma, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Adam Zampa, Avesh Khan, Rovman Powell, Shubham Dubey, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Abid Mushtaq, Nandre Burger. 

The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) will commence on the 22nd of March, 2024. Rajasthan Royals will play their first game against the Lucknow Super Giants on March 24 at the Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Cover Credit - IPL Official