Rajasthan Royals, also known as Rajasthan Royals (RR), is a professional cricket team franchise located in Jaipur, Rajasthan, competing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Established in 2008 as one of the original eight IPL franchises, the team plays at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The Royals are recognized for discovering hidden, high-potential talent. The team surprised everyone by winning the first IPL edition under Shane Warne’s leadership, despite being underestimated by the media and fans. They were also the runners-up in the 2013 Champions League Twenty20 under Rahul Dravid’s captaincy and made it to the finals of the 2022 Indian Premier League under Sanju Samson’s captaincy and Kumar Sangakkara’s guidance.
On July 14, 2015, a panel appointed by the Supreme Court of India suspended Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings for two years due to a 2013 betting scandal, preventing them from participating in the 2016 and 2017 IPL seasons. They made a comeback in the 2018 season.
Sanju Samson holds the record for the most runs scored by the team with 3403 runs, while Shane Watson is the leading wicket-taker with 67 wickets.
Rajasthan Royals Team’s Background
The Indian Premier League (IPL) was established by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in September 2007, with the Rajasthan Royals being one of the original eight teams in the inaugural season in 2008. The franchise was acquired by Emerging Media for $67 million, making it the most affordable team in the league. Currently, the team is owned by the Royals Sports Group led by Manoj Badale, with a 65% stake, along with key minority stakeholders Lachlan Murdoch and RedBird Capital Partners. Despite past ownership controversies that led to a temporary expulsion in 2010, the franchise managed to make a pre-tax profit of $7.5 million in 2009.
Expulsion from the IPL and return
In 2010, the BCCI made the decision to expel Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals from the IPL. Captain Shane Warne was left puzzled by the expulsion, suspecting foul play and ulterior motives from the BCCI. Rajasthan Royals appealed against the decision, leading to a legal battle in the Mumbai High Court. The case was adjourned to avoid clashing with Diwali celebrations, with a revised date set for 15 November 2010.
Subsequently, the Royals informed the Bombay High Court of their intention to negotiate with an arbitrator in hopes of reconciling with the IPL. The arbitrator ruled that the Royals could remain in the IPL for six weeks during the investigation, with the BCCI unable to change rules that could harm the team. This period included the player auction, where Rajasthan Royals took part. The Bombay High Court dismissed BCCI’s appeals to remove the Royals from the IPL during this time, leading to the teams being allowed to stay in the league.
Due to losses in court cases and damage to their reputation, the BCCI chose not to pursue further legal action against Rajasthan Royals or Kings XI Punjab, permitting both teams to continue participating in the IPL.
Rajasthan Royals Ban in 2015
In 2015, the Rajasthan Royals, a team in the Indian Premier League (IPL), faced a serious problem. Some of their players and staff were caught doing bad things during matches. They were found to be involved in something called “spot-fixing.” This means they were doing things during matches that they weren’t supposed to, like trying to control specific parts of the game for illegal betting.
Because of this, the team got in big trouble. The IPL, which is like a big cricket tournament in India, banned the Rajasthan Royals from playing in the 2016 and 2017 seasons. This was a very serious punishment. It was decided by a special committee appointed by the Supreme Court of India.
The ban was meant to teach the team a lesson and show that such behavior is not acceptable in cricket. It was also a way to protect the integrity and fairness of the game. During the ban, the Rajasthan Royals had to take time to reflect on what happened and work hard to regain trust. After the ban was over, they could join the IPL again, but they had to be very careful to follow the rules from then on.
Rajasthan Royals Team history
In 2008
Before the start of the inaugural IPL season, Rajasthan Royals were seen as the weakest team, and their first loss to Delhi Daredevils fueled doubts. However, in their first home game in Jaipur, they secured a crucial win against Kings XI Punjab, led by Shane Watson’s impressive 76 not out. This victory, followed by another against Deccan Chargers, boosted morale, with Yusuf Pathan shining. Their winning streak included victories over Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings, but they suffered a loss to Mumbai Indians. The Royals then won five consecutive matches, securing a spot in the semi-finals with a win over Royal Challengers Bangalore. In the final against Chennai Super Kings, they clinched victory by three wickets on June 1, 2008. Shane Watson’s outstanding all-round performance earned him the tournament’s Man of the Series award, while Shane Warne’s leadership was lauded. The team received medals and the IPL trophy along with a $1.2 million prize. Individual awards went to players like Yusuf Pathan, Sohail Tanvir, and Shane Watson for their exceptional contributions.
In 2009
The Royals held the title as the defending champions. Unfortunately, Sohail Tanvir couldn’t join the team due to the PCB’s failure to provide NOC for Pakistani players participating in the competition. Additionally, Shane Watson was unavailable for the entire season as he was touring UAE with the Australian team for the ODI series against Pakistan. As a result, the team appeared slightly weaker compared to the previous season, and they had to rely on players like Graeme Smith, Shaun Tait, and Shane Warne.
British Asian Cup
On May 14, 2009, it was revealed that Rajasthan Royals and Middlesex Crusaders would face off in a special Twenty20 match for the British Asian Cup. This marked the first time that the champions of the two countries would compete in an annual charity series. The exciting match took place on July 6, 2009, with the teams being announced on July 3, 2009. Rajasthan Royals, led by Mohammad Kaif and featuring the comeback of Sohail Tanvir, emerged victorious. They scored 162/5 in 20 overs and defended their total by 46 runs, with Middlesex only managing to score 116/7. Dimitri Mascarenhas was named the Man of the Match for his outstanding performance.
In 2010
In the 2010 IPL season, Rajasthan Royals experienced a mixed performance, finishing sixth in the league standings with 6 wins, 7 losses, and 1 no-result match. Despite notable individual performances from players like Shane Warne, Shane Watson, Yusuf Pathan, and Naman Ojha, the team struggled with inconsistencies in both batting and bowling departments. While they managed to secure wins against teams like Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians, they faced setbacks against strong opponents like Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Daredevils, ultimately failing to qualify for the playoffs.
In 2011
In the 2011 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Rajasthan Royals had a decent performance, finishing sixth in the league standings out of ten teams. The team won six out of their 14 matches, accumulating a total of 12 points. Despite not making it to the playoffs, Rajasthan Royals showcased some commendable performances throughout the season. They had notable contributions from players like Shane Watson, Rahul Dravid, Shane Warne, and Ajinkya Rahane, among others. However, inconsistency in their performances and tough competition from other teams hindered their chances of progressing further in the tournament. Overall, while the 2011 IPL season wasn’t a standout one for Rajasthan Royals, they displayed glimpses of their potential but fell short of securing a playoff spot.
In 2012
In the 2012 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Rajasthan Royals had a relatively successful campaign, finishing in seventh place out of nine teams in the league standings. The team won seven out of their 16 matches, accumulating a total of 14 points. Despite missing out on a playoff spot, Rajasthan Royals showed resilience and determination throughout the season. They had standout performances from players like Shane Watson, Ajinkya Rahane, Brad Hodge, and Rahul Dravid. Notable victories included wins against formidable opponents like Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians. However, inconsistency in their performances and tough competition from other teams prevented them from advancing further in the tournament. Overall, while the 2012 IPL season was a respectable one for Rajasthan Royals, they fell short of their aspirations for a playoff berth.
In 2013
In the 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Rajasthan Royals had a solid performance, finishing in third place out of nine teams in the league standings. The team won 10 out of their 16 matches, accumulating a total of 20 points. Rajasthan Royals showcased consistent and determined cricket throughout the season, with notable contributions from key players like Shane Watson, Ajinkya Rahane, Brad Hodge, and James Faulkner. They secured crucial victories against strong opponents such as Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. Despite facing challenges, Rajasthan Royals displayed resilience and tactical acumen under the leadership of Rahul Dravid. Although they couldn’t make it to the final, their performance in the 2013 IPL season was commendable, reflecting their competitive spirit and team cohesion.
In 2014
In the 2014 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Rajasthan Royals had a respectable performance, finishing in fifth place out of eight teams in the league standings. The team won seven out of their 14 matches, accumulating a total of 14 points. Rajasthan Royals showed glimpses of brilliance throughout the season, with notable contributions from key players like Ajinkya Rahane, Shane Watson, James Faulkner, and Sanju Samson. They secured impressive victories against formidable opponents such as Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab. However, inconsistency in their performances and tough competition from other teams prevented them from securing a playoff berth. Despite falling short of their aspirations for a higher finish, Rajasthan Royals displayed moments of excellence, showcasing their talent and potential in the 2014 IPL season.
In 2015
In the 2015 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Rajasthan Royals had a decent performance, finishing in fourth place out of eight teams in the league standings. The team won seven out of their 14 matches, accumulating a total of 14 points. Rajasthan Royals showed resilience and determination throughout the season, with notable contributions from key players like Ajinkya Rahane, Shane Watson, Steven Smith, and James Faulkner. They secured crucial victories against strong opponents such as Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. However, inconsistency in their performances and tough competition from other teams hindered their chances of securing a higher position in the standings. Despite narrowly missing out on a playoff spot, Rajasthan Royals displayed flashes of brilliance, reflecting their competitive spirit and team cohesion in the 2015 IPL season.
In 2016
In the 2016 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Rajasthan Royals did not participate in the tournament. Along with another franchise, Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals faced a two-year suspension from the IPL due to their involvement in the 2013 spot-fixing scandal. As a result, they did not feature in the 2016 edition of the IPL, and their absence was felt by fans and followers of the tournament.
In 2017
In the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Rajasthan Royals did not participate in the tournament. Along with Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals faced a two-year suspension from the IPL due to their involvement in the 2013 spot-fixing scandal. Consequently, they were not part of the 2017 edition of the IPL, and their absence was notable in the cricketing landscape during that season.
In 2018
In the 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Rajasthan Royals made a comeback after serving a two-year suspension. The team had a decent performance, finishing in fourth place out of eight teams in the league standings. Rajasthan Royals won seven out of their 14 matches, accumulating a total of 14 points. Led by Ajinkya Rahane, the team showcased resilience and determination throughout the season, with notable contributions from key players like Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, Ben Stokes, and Jofra Archer. They secured crucial victories against strong opponents such as Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians. However, inconsistency in their performances and tough competition from other teams hindered their chances of securing a higher position in the standings. Despite narrowly missing out on a playoff spot, Rajasthan Royals displayed flashes of brilliance, marking their return to the IPL after a two-year hiatus in the 2018 season.
In 2019
In the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Rajasthan Royals had a challenging campaign, finishing in seventh place out of eight teams in the league standings. The team won five out of their 14 matches, accumulating a total of 11 points. Rajasthan Royals faced difficulties throughout the season, with inconsistent performances and struggles to find momentum. Despite notable contributions from key players like Jos Buttler, Steve Smith, and Jofra Archer, the team couldn’t maintain consistency in their performances. They secured victories against teams like Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad but faced setbacks against strong opponents like Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders. Ultimately, Rajasthan Royals fell short of qualifying for the playoffs in the 2019 IPL season, highlighting the challenges they encountered during the tournament.
In 2021
On January 20th, 2021, prior to the auction for the 2021 Indian Premier League, Rajasthan let go of eight players, which included their captain Steve Smith. They also revealed that Sanju Samson would take over as captain for the upcoming season.
In 2022
Ahead of the 2022 Indian Premier League auction, Rajasthan made their decision to retain Sanju Samson as captain, along with Jos Buttler and young talent Yashasvi Jaiswal. They released all other players from the previous season. Despite performing well in the league stage and securing the second spot in the points table, the team faced defeat twice against Gujarat Titans within a span of six days. They lost in Qualifier 1 and then in the final, ultimately finishing as runners-up. Jos Buttler had an outstanding season, earning the MVP award and the Orange Cap for scoring a remarkable 864 runs in 17 innings. Yuzvendra Chahal, on the other hand, claimed the Purple Cap for taking the most wickets in the season.
In 2023
RR, which stands for Rajasthan Royals, kicked off their 2023 campaign with a convincing 72-run victory over SRH. The standout performer for RR was the talented young Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had an outstanding season. Jaiswal, the recipient of the ‘Emerging Player of the Season’ award, scored 625 runs in 14 matches at an impressive average of 48.07 and a superb strike rate of 163.61.
The season had its fair share of highs and lows for the Sanju Samson-led team. Despite winning 7 matches and losing an equal number, they finished in 5th place on the IPL points table.
Joe Root Rajasthan Royals:-
Joe Root, a remarkable batsman, an exceptional leader, and a true legend of our time. Throughout his career, he has showcased his incredible skills and leadership qualities, earning him the reputation as one of England’s greatest cricketers. Since his debut in 2012, Root has amassed over 10,000 runs in Test cricket alone, a testament to his batting prowess. Not only has he excelled in the longer format, but he has also achieved great success in the 50-over format, accumulating over 6,000 runs. It was no surprise when he was chosen to captain the England Test team in 2017, following in the footsteps of the esteemed Alastair Cook. Two years later, he led England to their first-ever ODI World Cup victory, finishing as the fifth-highest run-scorer in the tournament. Despite public perception, Root’s T20I records are impressive, with nearly 900 runs scored in 32 matches, boasting an average of 35.72 and a strike rate of over 120. It was only a matter of time before he caught the attention of an IPL franchise, and in 2023, the Royals made the wise decision to pick him. |Joe Root Rajasthan Royals|
JOE ROOT IPL CAREER STATISTICS
BATTING & FIELDING :-
| BATTING & FIELDING | 2023 | Overall |
| MAT | 3 | 3 |
| Runs | 10 | 10 |
| HS | 10 v RCB | 10 v RCB |
| Average | 10.00 | 10.00 |
| S/R | 66.66 | 66.66 |
| 100s | 0 | 0 |
| 50s | 0 | 0 |
| 4s | 1 | 1 |
| 6s | 0 | 0 |
| CT | 2 | 2 |
| ST | 0 | 0 |
BOWLING :-
| Bowling | 2023 | Overall |
| INN | 1 | 1 |
| Ball | 12 | 12 |
| Runs | 14 | 14 |
| Wkts | 0 | 0 |
| BBI | 0/14 v KKR | 0/14 v KKR |
| AVE | - | - |
| ECON | 7.00 | 7.00 |
| S/R | - | - |
| 3W | 0 | 0 |
| 5W | 0 | 0 |
Joe Root’s Test Average in:
2021- 61.0
2022- 45.75
2023- 65.58
2024- 30*#ICCWorldCup2023 #ICCCricketWorldCup #ODIWorldCup2023 #Cricket #CricketTwitter #INDvENG #INDvsENG #ENGvIND #ENGvsIND #INDvsENGTest #IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/plJQmbtC0h— CricketVerse (@cricketverse_) March 1, 2024
Rajasthan Royals Players | Squad 2024
| BATTERS | ALLROUNDERS | BOWLERS |
|---|---|---|
| Sanju Samson | Ravichandran Ashwin | Avesh Khan |
| Jos Buttler | Donovan Ferreira | Trent Boult |
| Shubham Dubey | Abid Mushtaq | Nandre Burger |
| Shimron Hetmyer | Yuzvendra Chahal | |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Prasidh Krishna | |
| Dhruv Jurel | Navdeep Saini | |
| Tom Kohler-Cadmore | Sandeep Sharma | |
| Riyan Parag | Kuldeep Sen | |
| Rovman Powell | Adam Zampa | |
| Kunal Singh Rathore |
Rajasthan Royals Captains
| Players | Nationality | From - to | Matches | Won | Loss | Loss | Win% | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Warne | Australia | 2008-2011 | 56 | 31 | 24 | 1 | 55.35 | W (2008) |
| Shane Watson | Australia | 2008-2015 | 21 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 33.33 | Playoffs (2015) |
| Rahul Dravid | India | 2012-2013 | 40 | 23 | 17 | 0 | 57.50 | Playoffs (2013) |
| Steve Smith | Australia | 2014-2020 | 27 | 15 | 11 | 0 | 57.50 | 8/8 (2020) |
| Ajinkya Rahane | India | 2018-2019 | 24 | 9 | 15 | 0 | 37.50 | Playoffs (2018) |
| Sanju Samson | India | 2021-Present | 45 | 22 | 23 | 0 | 48.88 | Runners up (2022) |
Rajasthan Royals Most runs
| Batter | Runs |
|---|---|
| Sanju Samson | 3403 |
| Ajinkya Rahane | 3098 |
| Jos Buttler | 2696 |
| Shane Watson | 2474 |
| Rahul Dravid | 2474 |
Rajasthan Royals Most Wickets
| Players | Wicket |
|---|---|
| Siddharth Trivedi | 65 wickets in 76 games |
| Shane Watson | 61 wickets in 78 games |
| Shane Warne | 57 wickets in 55 games |
| James Faulkner | 47 wickets in 42 games |
| Jofra Archer | 46 wickets in 35 games |
Rajasthan Royals Key players
1. Jos Buttler-
Buttler, coming off an amazing previous season, is set to continue his run-scoring spree. The English wicketkeeper-batsman is a true run-making machine. In addition to his batting prowess, Buttler also excels behind the stumps, making him a valuable asset for RR.
2. Yuzvendra Chahal-
Chahal’s exceptional spin bowling poses a significant challenge to the opposing batters. His skill in bowling during crucial moments can disrupt the flow of runs and lead to quick wickets. As the previous season’s Purple Cap winner, Chahal aims to lead his team to victory and secure their second IPL Trophy.
3. Sanju Samson –
Sanju Samson was a budding talent when he was selected by RR. However, he has now ascended to the role of captain for the Rajasthan Royals. His exceptional ability to hit the ball hard can truly wreak havoc on the opposing team. Moreover, he has the capability to score big runs, further enhancing his batting skills.
4. Shimron Hetmyer –
The Caribbean player is famous for smashing big shots and sealing the deal for Rajasthan Royals. He has the ability to dominate any bowler with ease, all while displaying strategic and patient gameplay. His batting skills are sure to give any opponent a tough time.
5. Trent Boult –
The Rajasthan Royals pace attack will heavily rely on the left-arm fast bowler from New Zealand. With his exceptional skills at both ends of the innings and his ability to generate swing during the opening overs, he consistently takes numerous wickets.
Batting Stats
Most Runs: Ajinkya Rahane: 3098 runs
Most Centuries: Jos Buttler: 5
Most Fifties: Ajinkya Rahane: 21
Best Average: Jos Buttler: 46.08
Best Strike Rate: Kevon Cooper: 175.30
Most Ducks: Shane Warne and Stuart Binny (7)
Most Fours: Ajinkya Rahane: 329
Most Sixes: SanjuSamson: 136
Highest Score: Jos Buttler: 124
Most Runs In A Season: –
Bowling Stats
Most Wickets: Shane Watson: 67 wickets
Best Economy: Aaron Finch: 4.28
Best Bowling Figures: Sohail Tanvir – 4-14-6
Best Average: Lee Carseldine: 6.00
Most Runs Condeded In An Innings: Ankit Rajpoot (4-0-60-0)
Most 4 Wickets: Pravin Tambe, Kevon Cooper, Chris Morris (2 each)
Most 5 Wickets: James Faulkner (2)
Team identity
Team anthem – The team’s original anthem was ‘Halla Bol’, performed by Ila Arun during the first IPL season. Sunidhi Chauhan took over for the second season. Now, their current anthem ‘Halla Bol’ is sung by Amit Trivedi & Mame Khan.
Logo :- The Rajasthan Royals’ logo consists of a majestic lion wearing a royal crown, representing strength, courage, and royalty. The lion is depicted in a dynamic stance, symbolizing the team’s fighting spirit and determination on the cricket field. The team name, “Rajasthan Royals,” is usually displayed alongside the lion logo in a bold font, completing the overall visual identity of the franchise.
Home Ground
The Royals play their home games at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. This stadium, built during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, is located at the Rambagh Circle. With a seating capacity of 30,000, it is considered one of the best stadiums in India following its renovation in 2006. Apart from Jaipur, the Rajasthan Royals have also played home matches at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad and the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati for the 2023 season.
Sponsors
Unlike the other IPL teams, Rajasthan Royals have not managed to secure as many sponsors. For the IPL 2023 season, the franchise only has four sponsors. BKT, Dollar, and Jio are the main sponsors of Rajasthan Royals, with McDowell’s No.1 being another sponsor they have.
Administration and staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| CEO | Jake Lush McCrum |
| Team manager | Romi Bhinder |
| Director of cricket | Kumar Sangakkara |
| Strategy, Development, and Performance Director | Zubin Bharucha |
| Assistant coach | Trevor Penney |
| Tactical performance coach | Lisa Keightley |
| Support coach | Siddhartha Lahiri |
| Spin bowling and strategy coach | Richard das Neves |
| Fast bowling coach | Shane Bond |
| Fielding coach | Dishant Yagnik |
| Head physio | John Gloster |
| spotsdream11 | |
Rajasthan Royals Fane Base
The Rajasthan Royals’ official Instagram account boasts more than 2.7 million followers, and their Twitter account has a following of 2.6 million. On YouTube, the Rajasthan Royals account has over 636K subscribers. With over 5 million followers, the Rajasthan Royals’ Facebook page is also quite active, regularly posting updates and uploads. The team’s social media platforms are renowned for their humor and clever messages, setting them apart from other franchises.
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