IPL 2025: Rajasthan Royals given belt treatment for Yuzvendra Chahal-Ravichandran Ashwin move

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra raised concerns about Rajasthan Royals' (RR) spin-bowling strategy ahead of IPL 2025. Aakash Chopra criticized Rajasthan Royals for releasing Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin and not reacquiring either at the mega auction.

The Rajasthan Royals decided not to retain Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. The inaugural IPL champions didn't attempt to bring Chahal back in the recent auction. Meanwhile, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) outbid them to secure Ashwin for Rs 9.75 crore.

Had Arguably The Best Possible Spin Twin Available - Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra pointed out that the Rajasthan Royals tried to fix their lower-order issues. Chopra stated that releasing players forced them to seek other options in the auction.

"They have managed the lower-order issue they had, but they had Yuzi Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin. You had arguably the best possible spin twin available with you but you let both go. You didn't retain either of them, and that means you had to go shopping," Chopra said.

Rajasthan Royals told to think twice if their tacticwas right - Aakash Chopra

The Royals successfully acquired Sri Lankan spinners Wanindu Hasaranga for Rs 5.25 crore and Maheesh Theekshana for Rs 4.40 crore. They also acquired the services of Madhya Pradesh's left-arm spinner Kumar Kartikya.

The former Indian opener was not happy with the Royals' decision to pick Hasaranga and Theekshana as their overseas spinners. He questioned whether they would be as effective as renowned spinners like Sunil Narine and Rashid Khan.

"They picked overseas spinners - Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana. I am thinking that the Jaipur ground, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, might actually suit them. It's a big ground, but two overseas spinners, unless their names are Sunil Narine and Rashid Khan. So you think twice if this tactic is right," Chopra added.

Wanindu Hasaranga Has Missed A Lot Of Cricket - Aakash Chopra

In the same video, Aakash Chopra said that Wanindu Hasaranga is an injury-prone player, adding that it could be a problem for the Rajasthan Royals. He pointed out that Hasaranga has missed significant cricket due to injuries.

"It's fine if you keep overseas fast bowling at times. However, you went with both overseas spinners, of which one is extremely injury-prone. Wanindu Hasaranga has missed a lot of cricket because of injuries. I think no spinner has been more injured than him and he is an integral part of their team, because none of the top six bowls, if you leave aside Riyan Parag's bowling," Chopra said.

The Royals entered the mega auction with the lowest remaining purse of R 41 crore. They signed Jofra Archer and also invested in Aakash Madhwal. Ahead of the auction, RR had retained six players: Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sandeep Sharma.

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