"They have the ability to play an entire Indian top order" - Aakash Chopra on Rajasthan Royals' strengths heading into IPL 2025
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has picked Rajasthan Royals' batting as one of their strengths heading into IPL 2025. He pointed out that the Jaipur-based franchise can play an all-Indian top order.
The Royals retained Sanju Samson (₹18 crore), Yashasvi Jaiswal (₹18 crore), Riyan Parag (₹14 crore), and Dhruv Jurel (₹14 crore) as Indian batters, heading into the auction. Shimron Hetmyer (₹11 crore) and bowler Sandeep Sharma (₹4 crore) were their other two pre-auction retentions.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' the cricketer-turned-commentator noted that the Rajasthan Royals (RR), much like the Mumbai Indians (MI), have plenty of Indian top-order batting options.
"The batting was already strong and has become even stronger. It was already an Indian core. Along with the Mumbai Indians, they have the ability to play an entire Indian top order, and it has ability, confidence, and a destructive approach," he said (3:30).
"Sanju Samson as a captain, Yashasvi Jaiswal - maybe both as openers. After that, you can get Nitish Rana and then you can keep Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel. You can move them up and down as well. They have an excellent left-right combination. They have kept it strongly till No. 6," Chopra added.
Chopra pointed out that Wanindu Hasaranga and Jofra Archer's presence also provides batting depth to RR.
"Earlier, at times, the lower order wasn't that strong and had a few shortcomings. I think they have plugged all their holes as far as batting is concerned. After that also, Wanindu Hasaranga and Jofra Archer, which means you have slightly more depth in batting. This team has assembled decent batting till No. 8," he observed.
Nitish Rana (₹4.20 crore) was the Rajasthan Royals' most expensive batting acquisition at the auction. The inaugural IPL champions bought Archer and Hasaranga for ₹12.50 crore and ₹5.25 crore, respectively.
"Sanju will go up in place of Buttler and Nitish Rana will come in Sanju's place" - Aakash Chopra on the continuity in Rajasthan Royals' batting lineup
![Enter caption Sanju Samson might open for RR in IPL 2025. [P/C: iplt20.com]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/0e24b-17331999575236-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that the Rajasthan Royals will also have continuity in batting, with Sanju Samson potentially taking Jos Buttler's place at the top of the order and Nitish Rana playing at No. 3.
"The batting is looking good to me, and along with that continuity. The captain is the same and he is right. The roles are also almost defined. Nitish Rana will quietly go and fit in the middle. Sanju will go up in place of Buttler and Nitish Rana will come in Sanju's place," he said (4:30).
The analyst added that RR can also try to maintain a left-right combination in the middle.
"You just carry on from there. You can send a left-hander if a left-hander gets out, or else you can send a right-hander. So all that is possible. Continuity will remain this team's mantra in batting," Chopra observed.
Apart from Rana, the Rajasthan Royals will likely have Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shimron Hetmyer as left-handed batters in their top six. They will potentially have an equal number of right-handers in Samson, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel.