IPL 2021: Opening Pair Of Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals spend Rs. 24.20 crore during IPL 2021 auction to induct 8 players into their squad. The franchisee had Rs. 34.85 crore salary cap available in the mini-auction. Rajasthan Royals released 8 players and retained 17 players ahead of IPL 2021 auction. The IPL 2008 champions Rajasthan Royals bought Chris Morris for Rs. 16.25 crore, making him the costliest player ever in the history of IPL auctions.

Rajasthan Royals’ other big buy was Shivam Dube for Rs. 4.4 crore. Rajasthan Royals also spent Rs. 1.2 crore to buy Indian bowler Chetan Sakariya, and Rs. 1 crore to buy Bangladesh pacer, Mustafizur Rahman. All-rounder Liam Livingstone also made his way into Rajasthan Royals at his base price of Rs. 75 lakh. Bowlers K.C Cariappa, Akash Singh and Kuldip Yadav were bought for Rs. 20 lakh each.

Rajasthan Royals had to bid goodbye to Robin Uthappa this season as the Indian cricketer became a part of Chennai Super Kings. In IPL 2020, Robin Uthappa opened the innings for Rajasthan Royals in most of the matches. After Uthappa’s departure from the team, Rajasthan Royals needs two reliable openers in IPL 2021. Here we will discuss the best opening pair of Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021.

IPL 2021: Opening Pairs Of Rajasthan Royals

Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler

In the absence of Robin Uthappa, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler are the two best choices for openers. Both have spent enough time in Rajasthan Royal’s franchisee and are well-versed with the weakness and strengths of the team. Ben Stokes played the role of opener for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2020. He was great with the bat at the top spot and should continue his role of opener for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021.

Last season, England all-rounder Ben Stokes arrived late in the tournament and could only play 8 matches. But in 8 innings, Ben Stokes showcased his spectacular batting skills scoring 285 runs at an amazing average of 40.71. Stokes also hit an unbeaten century in IPL 2020, a 107-run knock against Mumbai Indians.

Stokes also smashed 1 half-century in IPL 2020 and batted at a strike rate of 142+ throughout the season.  With such a spectacular form at the opening slot, Ben Stokes should be allowed to perform his role of opener for the team in IPL 2021.

Talking about Jos Buttler, the English cricketer is the other best option for opening pair after Robin Uthappa’s exit from the squad. Rajasthan Royals did not buy any opening batsman in IPL 2021 auction, so they do not have new options for opening pairs. Wicket-keeper Jos Buttler also played the role of opener for Rajasthan Royals during some games in IPL 2020 and IPL 2019.

It will a nice idea to install the right-handed batsman Jos Buttler as the opener and wicket-keeper in IPL 2021, as this will take off some pressure from new skipper Sanju Samson.  In IPL 2020, Buttler played 11 innings and scored 328 runs. He had a superb strike rate of 144+. He also smashed two half-centuries with the highest score being 70 not out. With such a great batting strike rate, Buttler is a reliable option for the opening pair.

While playing for Rajasthan Royals since 2018, Buttler has a strike rate of 151+ in 33 innings. The wicket-keeper batsman has scored 1187 runs along with hitting 10 fifties. He also has a great average of 42.39. These stats are enough to prove that Jos Buttler is among the best choice for opening pair of Rajasthan Royals in forthcoming IPL 2021 tournament. His combination with Ben Stokes will enable Rajasthan Royals to introduce two hard-hitting batsmen at the opening slot.