IPL 2020: Match 4: Rajasthan Royals Vs Chennai Super Kings: RR Predicted XI

Rajasthan Royals will commence their IPL 2020 campaign on Tuesday against Chennai Super Kings in Sharjah. The inaugural IPL champions are indeed the underdogs heading into the game, particularly due to a supposed lack of many match-winners. They are about to face Chennai, who started with a victory against Mumbai Indians.

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Rajasthan Royals’ skipper Steve Smith joined the squad ahead of the opening game and so did the likes of Jofra Archer, Tom Curran and Jos Buttler. However, the discouraging news is that Jos Buttler will miss the first match, owing to the need to fulfil quarantine rules. With uncertainty revolving around the availability of Ben Stokes too, the captain has to stand up with the bat to assert his authority.

We take a look at Rajasthan Royals’ predicted XI ahead of their first IPL game:

Yashasvi Jaiswal:

Yashasvi Jaiswal is one of the most exciting young batsmen in the tournament this time. With a formidable List A record, Yashasvi Jaiswal will hope to begin the competition in style by announcing himself to the big leagues.

Rajasthan secured the teen prodigy’s services for INR 2.4 crores; however, Jaiswal clarified that he is looking forward to developing his game and not concentrating on the price tag. He will most likely open the innings.

Robin Uthappa:

Robin Uthappa is one of the most experienced batsmen or players in the history of IPL. In 177 matches, Robin Uthappa has 4411 runs from a staggering 177 fixtures at a healthy strike rate of 130.70. The 34-year old could keep wickets as well.

Robin Uthappa also won the Orange Cap in the 2014 season with the Kolkata Knight Riders for scoring 660 runs. After staying with KKR for five years, he will ply his trade for Rajasthan Royals. He will hope to set a solid foundation for his team early on.

Sanju Samson (wk):

Sanju Samson has grown aplenty in stature over the years and is a veteran of 93 IPL games, having debuted in 2013. In 93 fixtures, Sanju Samson has 2209 runs at a strike rate of 130.25 along with two centuries.

The 25-year old is a flamboyant batsman and is a sweet striker of the ball. Samson has a vital role to play this time if Rajasthan Royals are to go a long way. The number three position seems an apt place for him to bat and will most likely take the gloves too.

Steve Smith (c):

Steve Smith looks to have recovered entirely from the concussion that forced him to miss the three-match ODI series against England. At number four, Steve Smith will provide the stability that the batting line-up will need in the absence of Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler.

In 81 IPL games, the right-handed batsman has 2022 runs at a healthy average of 37.44 and a reasonable strike rate of 128.95. Smith will need to marshall a marginally inexperienced Rajasthan Royals’ squad similar to Shane Warne.

Riyan Parag:

Riyan Parag showed glimpses of what he could achieve in the previous edition with the Rajasthan Royals. In seven games in 2019, Riyan Parag scored 160 runs, managing a half-century at a strike rate of 126.98.

The 2020 edition could be the one that the 18-year old makes it quite an impactful one. Parag will likely bat at number five to give the Rajasthan Royals the much-needed firepower in the slog overs of the game.

David Miller:

South African limited-overs specialist David Miller should be yet another finisher in their repertoire. While Riyan Parag has the potential; however, Miller might have to do the majority of weightlifting due to his experience.

In 79 IPL games, the southpaw has 1850 runs at an average of 33.64 along with a hundred that he scored for Kings XI Punjab. David Miller will have the responsibility of finishing the innings well in the absence of Ben Stokes.

Shreyas Gopal:

Shreyas Gopal is the frontline spinner for the Rajasthan Royals and has to lead the spin-bowling attack for his side. In only 31 games, Shreyas Gopal has 38 wickets at a compelling average of 19.34 and an economy rate of 7.56.

At number seven, the 27-year old is also a handy batsman, boasting of a strike rate of 120. The presence of Gopal provides the Royals with an extra depth in batting and the X-factor they need in the spin-bowling department.

Jofra Archer:

Jofra Archer has been associated with the Rajasthan Royals since 2018, which is when he also made his IPL debut. In 21 games, Jofra Archer has 26 wickets at 23.69 and an economy rate of 7.53. Archer will lead the pace bowling attack of the franchise.

The 25-year old is also coming off a fruitful limited-overs leg against Australia, owing to which he would be high on confidence. The Barbados-born would be looking forward to discomforting the experienced batting line-up with his rockets.

Oshane Thomas:

Oshane Thomas is far inexperienced as far as IPL goes, having played only four games so far. In four games, Oshane Thomas took five wickets at an average of 15.80 and economy rate of 7.90. Opening the bowling with Archer and Thomas indeed seems a mouthwatering prospect.

In 39 T20s, the 23-year old has 53 wickets with a solitary five-wicket haul as well. Due to Thomas’ height, the speedster is capable of generating an uncomfortable bounce that will disturb the batsmen.

Jaydev Unadkat:

Jaydev Unadkat is yet another pace bowler in the line-up; however, unlike Oshane Thomas and Jofra Archer, Unadkat relies on variations than speed. Jaydev Unadkat is a veteran of 73 IPL games and taken 77 wickets along with two fifers and as many four-wicket hauls.

The 28-year old’s back of hand slower balls and cunning variations could be invaluable in the slower conditions. Unadkat’s confidence would also be high after ending this year’s Ranji season amongst the highest wicket-takers and leading Saurashtra to the title.

Aniruddha Joshi:

Aniruddha Joshi is an off-break bowler, who could be a valuable support system to Shreyas Gopal in the spin-bowling department. While his playing role is that of a bowler, Joshi’s batting prowess seems more glaring.

In 16 T20s, the 32-year old has only six wickets but a batting average of 32.50 along with a strike rate of 146.50. However, as an unknown prospect, Aniruddha could prove effective in the slow pitches in the UAE.