IPL 2023 Season Review: Rajasthan Royals (RR)

Rajasthan Royals with 7 wins in 14 matches, finished IPL 2023 with 14 points at 5th position.

Rajasthan Royals experienced a remarkable IPL 2022 campaign, achieving the runners-up position. The following year, they entered the tournament with high hopes of replicating their success or even emerging as champions. Their astute acquisitions in the IPL mini-auction, including Jason Holder, Joe Root, and Adam Zampa, bolstered their squad and enhanced its overall balance.

Initially, their performance in the season was impressive, securing four victories out of five matches played. However, a defeat against the Lucknow Super Giants proved to be a turning point, triggering a downturn in their results and denting their confidence. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to recover from this setback. Some key players struggled with form during crucial junctures, and narrow losses further compounded their challenges.

Regrettably, the Rajasthan Royals concluded IPL 2023 in the fifth position, missing out on the playoffs. Their journey, marred by inconsistent performances and unfortunate circumstances, prevented them from advancing further in the tournament.

Fact Sheet:

The Rajasthan Royals have concluded their journey in the IPL by securing the fifth position in the points table. Throughout the 14 league games they played, the team achieved victory in 7 matches while suffering defeat in the remaining 7. It is worth noting that some of these games were closely contested, with the outcome hanging in the balance. If a few of these encounters had swung in their favor, the Rajasthan Royals might have found themselves in a different position in the standings.

Top Performers

Leading Run Scorer – Yashasvi Jaiswal:

Yashasvi Jaiswal was undoubtedly the standout performer of the season for the Rajasthan Royals, amassing a staggering 625 runs from 14 innings. His remarkable batting display came at an impressive strike rate of 163.61, accompanied by an average of 48.08. Notably, his maiden IPL century against the Mumbai Indians, where he scored 124 runs, etched his name as the highest scorer in the history of the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

In addition to his century, the left-handed batsman recorded five fifties during the season, showcasing his consistent form. Furthermore, Jaiswal set a new record for the fastest fifty in IPL history.

Leading Wicket Taker – Yuzvendra Chahal:

Chahal, representing the Rajasthan Royals, excelled as their top wicket-taker and spearheaded their spin bowling attack. With exceptional skills on display, he had an outstanding tournament, taking an impressive 21 wickets in just 14 matches. Chahal maintained an impressive economy rate of 8.18, showcasing his ability to control runs and create pressure on the opposition. A memorable moment for Chahal was achieving his career-best figures of 4/17 in a single match, making a lasting impact. Moreover, his exceptional performances have elevated him to the position of the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, solidifying his status as one of the most accomplished spin bowlers in the tournament.

The Underperformer of the Season:

Riyan Parag

Riyan Parag had a challenging season, as he could only accumulate 78 runs in 7 matches, averaging 13 with a strike rate of 118.18. Unfortunately, he struggled to find form and didn't meet the expectations placed on him. Consequently, he was considered as one of the underperformers of the team.

Devdutt Padikkal

Devdutt Padikkal had a relatively disappointing performance in the season, managing to accumulate only 271 runs in 11 matches. With an average of 26.1 and a strike rate of 130.5, he fell short of the expectations set for him. Despite his talent and potential, Padikkal struggled to make a significant impact with the bat and underperformed during the season.

Special Mentions

While senior players such as Jos Buttler, Samson, and Shimron Hetmyer encountered consistency issues, Yashasvi Jaiswal stood out with his magnificent performances. His exceptional innings of 124 runs off just 62 balls at the Wankhede Stadium, despite the bowlers' unsuccessful efforts, stands as one of the finest displays in the history of the competition. Jaiswal's remarkable contribution showcased his immense talent and left a lasting impression on the tournament.

Top team performance

Yashasvi Jaiswal's record-breaking half-century, coupled with Yuzvendra Chahal's four-wicket haul, propelled Rajasthan Royals to a resounding 9-wicket victory over KKR. Jaiswal's explosive start and fastest IPL fifty set the tone for the chase of 150 runs. Alongside skipper Sanju Samson, he formed a dominant partnership, reaching a hundred-run stand in just 56 balls. Rajasthan Royals comfortably achieved the target with over 6 overs remaining, securing a comprehensive win in Kolkata.

Captain’s report card

Sanju Samson led the Rajasthan Royals to a balanced record of 7 wins and 7 losses in the league stage, resulting in a 5th place finish. The team made a strong start, winning four out of their first five matches. However, their performance dipped in the subsequent nine matches, where they could only secure three more victories. Individually, Samson contributed 362 runs in 14 matches throughout the season.

Lessons to be learned

The Rajasthan Royals' pace attack proved to be a disappointment this season, especially with Prasidh Krishna's injury sidelining him. The pacers failed to make a significant impact on the matches. Although Trent Boult delivered early breakthroughs as expected, his performance in other phases of the innings raised concerns for the team. Other pacers such as Kuldeep Sen, Navdeep Saini, and KM Asif had inconsistent performances whenever they got the chance to play. Looking ahead to the next season, the team should focus on acquiring quality fast bowlers and a reliable middle-order finisher to strengthen their squad.