Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) batter Ambati Rayudu has launched an unfiltered attack on the Rajasthan Royals‘ (RR) strategy of only focusing on youngsters rather than building a good enough team to challenge for an IPL title win. This came after RR failed to close out a chase for a second time running, this time against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Jaipur on Saturday, April 19. Rayudu showed concerns about RR not getting anything materialistic in return for backing youngsters since the inception of the IPL.
“What have RR gotten out of it?” asks Rayudu
Speaking after a thrilling last-over heroics by Avesh Khan, Rayudu seemed a bit frustrated with Rajasthan’s long-term strategy of persisting with youngsters and rather looking to build a power-packed team filled with superstars. The six-time IPL winner questioned RR’s vision and not prioritising their 17-year drought of lifting an IPL trophy. Talking at ESPNcricinfo, Rayudu said:
“I always had this question in my mind when it comes to RR, is that they have invested so much in youngsters over the years – what have they gotten out of it? It has been 17 years since they have won an IPL, and they already showcase this as if it’s their strength, and it is some great charity that they are doing to the game. But it is not. You are here to compete, you are here to win the IPL.”
RR’s backing of youngsters not worth it?
It is a very critical debate that Rayudu has touched upon regarding RR, or in fact, any other franchise. With the owners wanting only success on their side, the pressure mounts on the management. If the owners and management fall on the same page, they can create an environment to groom budding stars alongside some household international names.
Ravindra Jadeja, Sanju Samson, Ajinkya Rahane, Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Dhruv Jurel are some of the best finds of RR. While Jadeja won the championship back in 2008 under Shane Warne’s captaincy, others haven’t. While all the aforementioned names are perhaps some of the best talents in their own right, RR haven’t been able to build a “superstar” team around them.
There are ways that teams have adopted to win the IPL. You don’t follow any of those; you have your own path. You justify year after year, and you want people to come on board and appreciate the good team that you are by giving youngsters all over the world a good opportunity in the IPL.”
RR took a massive step in their backing of youngsters when they handed a historic debut to Vaibhav Suryavanshi, just a 14-year-old boy from Bihar, who replaced injured Sanju Samson as an opener! And guess what he did on the very first ball of his career? Smack Shardul Thakur for a mighty six through the offside. Talk about intent! He scored the most inspiring 34 you’ll ever see.
Rajasthan Royals record at IPL
| Year | League Standing | Final Standing |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1st out of 8 | Champions |
| 2009 | 6th out of 8 | League stage |
| 2010 | 7th out of 8 | League stage |
| 2011 | 6th out of 10 | League stage |
| 2012 | 7th out of 9 | League stage |
| 2013 | 3rd out of 9 | Playoffs |
| 2014 | 5th out of 8 | League stage |
| 2015 | 4th out of 8 | Playoffs |
| 2018 | 4th out of 8 | Playoffs |
| 2019 | 7th out of 8 | League stage |
| 2020 | 8th out of 8 | League stage |
| 2021 | 7th out of 8 | League stage |
| 2022 | 2nd out of 10 | Runners-up |
| 2023 | 5th out of 10 | League stage |
| 2024 | 3rd out of 10 | Playoffs |
In 17 seasons, the Rajasthan Royals have qualified for the playoffs just six times. They aren’t looking solid enough to qualify at IPL 2025 either.
