IPL 2021: 5 Players From Rajasthan Royals Who Might Be Benched Throughout The Tournament

Rajasthan Royals, who had won the first IPL tournament in 2008, finished on the bottom-most 8th spot in IPL 2020. After the poor season last year, Rajasthan Royals dropped 8 players out of the squad ahead of IPL 2021. The franchisee opted to retain 17 players in the squad. During IPL 2021 auction, the franchisee bought 8 new players into their squad.

Chris Morris was picked at a staggering price of Rs. 16.25 crore. This is the highest-ever price for a cricketer in the history of IPL auctions. Rajasthan Royals also bought all-rounder Shivam Dube for Rs. 4.4 crore. Mustafizur Rahman was picked for Rs. 1 crore. Rajasthan Royals also purchased Chetan Sakariya for Rs. 1.2 crore, along with K.C Cariappa, Akash Singh and Kuldip Yadav for Rs. 20 lakh each.

After retaining 17 players and buying 8 new players in the auction, Rajasthan Royals have 25 players in their squad for IPL 2021 season. They are- Sanju Samson, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Mahipal Lomror, Manan Vohra, Mayank Markande, Rahul Tewatia, Riyan Parag, Shreyas Gopal, Robin Uthappa, Jaydev Unadkat, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Anuj Rawat, Kartik Tyagi, David Miller and Andrew Tye, Christopher Morris, Shivam Dube, Chetan Sakariya, Mustafizur Rahman, Liam Livingstone, K.C Cariappa, Akash Singh and Kuldip Yadav.

After ending as the weakest team in IPL 2020, Rajasthan Royal will aim to showcase their best performance in IPL 2021 season. Hence, the franchisee will only play their best players during the games. As a result, few players might not get a chance to come to the field. Here we look at 5 players from Rajasthan Royals who might be benched throughout IPL 2021 tournament.

IPL 2021: 5 Players From Rajasthan Royals Who Might Be Benched Throughout The Tournament

Liam Livingstone

Rajasthan Royals bought Liam Livingstone at his base price of Rs. 75 lakh during IPL 2021 auction. The English all-rounder played 4 matches in IPL 2019, in which he scored 71 runs and remained wicket-less. Later, he opted out of IPL 2020 to focus on first-class cricket. The 27-year-old all-rounder has played 2 international T20 games for England.

At the domestic level, Livingstone has played 56 First-class, 55 List A, and 128 T20s so far. Rajasthan Royals already have all-rounders like Ben Stokes, Rahul Tewatia, Shivam Dube and Chris Morris in the team. Therefore, Liam Livingstone might find it difficult to make it to the playing 11 of Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021.

Anuj Rawat

Anuj Rawat is a wicket-keeper batsman who was picked up by Rajasthan Royals in the previous IPL 2020 edition. The wicket-keeper batsman did not play any matches in IPL 2020. The 21-year-old cricketer plays for Delhi at the domestic level. He has also played for India Under-19 team. Being a wicket-keeper batsman, Anuj Rawat faces tough competition from Sanju Samson and Jos Buttler to find a place in the playing 11. He might have to face the bench during the entire IPL 2021 season.

Kuldip Yadav

Kuldip Yadav- not to be confused with Kuldeep Yadav– became a part of Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021 auction. He is a medium-pace bowler who has played only one List A match so far. The 24-year-old cricketer is quite inexperienced to feature in an IPL game at present. Rajasthan Royals might keep him out of the playing 11 during IPL 2021 season.

Akash Singh

Akash Singh also joined Rajasthan Royals during IPL 2021 auction. The 18-year-old youngster plays for Rajasthan at the domestic level. He has also represented India A under-19 and India Under-19 teams. Akash is a left-arm medium-fast bowler. WIth just experience of 3 List A games and 2 T20 games, he might find it difficult to find an entry into the playing 11 of Rajasthan Royals during IPL 2021.

KC Cariappa

KC Cariappa, who also joined Rajasthan Royals during IPL 2021 auction, is a 26-year-old leg-break bowler. He has been part of Kings 11 Punjab in IPL 2016 and IPL 2017, and Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2015 and IPL 2019. He has played 11 matches in the Indian Premier League so far, claiming 8 wickets. Rajasthan Royals bought him as a back-up spinner for the team.

However, Cariappa will face tough competition from spinners like Rahul Tewatia, Shreyas Gopal, and Mayank Markande, who are already in the line for playing 11 in IPL 2021.