IPL 2021 UAE: Best Playing 11 for Rajasthan Royals (RR)

Quality Players missing from the squad as we look at the best predicted playing 11 for Rajasthan Royals (RR) for the second leg of IPL 2021 in UAE.

Rajasthan Royals are probably the worst-affected team ahead of the second leg of IPL 2021. Three of their top 4 overseas players are not unavailable, and that is affecting their team balance. In addition, the Indian players aren’t up to the mark. Barring Sanju Samson, all their Indian players are inexperienced, and not performing as expected. 

To recap, Rajasthan Royals are currently 5th on the points table with 3 wins from 7 games. This isn’t a bad position to be given their current team strength. However, the road ahead will be tough for them. They would need to win at least 5 of their remaining 7 games to give themselves a good chance of qualifying. 

So, with the new replacements in the form of Glen Philips, Tabraiz Shamsi, Oshane Thomas, and Evin Lewis, It would be very interesting to see what playing 11 combination they adopt. While the team may take a fresh start in UAE, here’s the best predicted playing 11 that we think RR can adopt for the second leg of IPL 2021. 

IPL 2021 UAE Final Squad for Rajasthan Royals (RR) : 

Batsmen: Anuj Rawat (WK), David Miller, Evin Lewis, Glen Philips, Liam Livingstone, Manan Vohra, Sanju Samson (WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal

All-rounders: Chris Morris, Mahipal Lomrar, Rahul Tewatia, Riyan Parag, and Shivam Dube

Bowlers: Akash Singh, Chetan Sakariya, Jaydev Unadkat, Kartik Tyagi, KC Cariappa, Kuldip Yadav, Mayank Markhande, Mustafizur Rahman, Oshane Thomas, Shreyas Gopal, and Tabraiz Shami

Openers: Liam Livingstone & Yashasvi Jaiswal

The absence of Jos Buttler from the squad means either Evin Lewis, Glen Philips, or Liam Livingstone gets to play as the first-choice opener. Given the current form that he is in, Liam Livingstone seems to be the leading contender for the opener spot. The Englishman has been in the stunning form off-late. In the recently concluded The Hundred tournament, Livingstone ended as the leading run-scorer with 348 runs from 195 balls at a strike rate of 178.5.  

Partnering Livingstone shall most probably be Yashasvi Jaiswal. The young Mumbaikar played a few valuable innings after replacing Manan Vohra in the opening department. He managed to so far scored 66 runs from 3 innings at a good strike rate of 132. With more confidence shown from the management, Yashasvi has all the capabilities to succeed. 

Middle-order: Sanju Samson (C), Riyan Parag & David Miller

The leading run-scorer for RR so far and their captain, Sanju Samson will not only be their captain but shall also don the wicket-keeping duties for RR. Sanju’s international career may have never taken off, but he has always been a crowd favorite in IPL for the kind of talent and flamboyant player he is.

In the absence of Steve Smith and Ben Stokes, their original middle-order, RR will have to rely on Riyan Parag and David Miller. While Miller is an experienced campaigner, and in decent form off-late, Riyan is yet to make any positive impact in IPL 2021. Riyan has so far managed only 78 runs from 6 innings at an average of 19.5. 

All-rounders: Rahul Tewatia, Shivam Dube & Chris Morris

After a below-average show in the first six matches, Shivam Dube was dropped from the squad for the 7th match. He could only manage 145 runs from 6 innings at a bad strike rate of 118. But with a lack of depth in the backups, Dube should most-likely continue as the finisher all-rounder of the squad. RR must be hoping for Dube to be a little more aggressive in the batting department. 

Accompanying Dube shall be Rahul Tewatia and Chris Morris in the all-rounder department. While Morris has lived onto the expectations having taken 14 wickets already from 7 matches, the same can’t be said for Tewatia. The all-rounder was struggling in IPL 2021, and could only manage 2 wickets and 85 runs from 5 innings at an average of 17.2.

Bowlers: Chetan Sakariya, Kartik Tyagi & Tabraiz Shamsi

The main dilemma for Rajasthan Royals shall be whether to play Mustafizur, who did decently for them so far in IPL 2021, or to play World’s no 1 spinner, Tabraiz Shamsi. The South African Chinaman was roped in as a replacement for Andrew Tye, and can be a wonderful prospect for them in UAE. 

If we observe closely, RR have good death bowling and powerplay bowlers in the form of Chetan Sakariya and Chris Morris. But what they actually lack is firepower in the middle overs to take wickets. They have Tewatia to do that, but we know he is ineffective. That’s where Shamsi can play a big role. He can provide those valuable wickets in the middle overs.

To compensate for the pace of Fizz, RR can play Kartik Tyagi, who can bowl good 1-2 overs in the powerplay, and in middle overs. Chetan Sakariya, who rose to fame in IPL 2021 is a really good find for RR. He can take wickets upfront in the powerplay, and can stop the flow of runs in the death overs. 

Best Predicted Playing 11 for Rajasthan Royals (RR) for Second Leg of IPL 2021 in UAE:

Liam Livingstone, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (C&WK), Riyan Parag, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Shivam Dube, Chris Morris, Chetan Sakariya, Kartik Tyagi & Tabraiz Shamsi. 

So, that completes the best predicted playing 11 for Rajasthan Royals (RR) for the second leg of IPL 2021. While almost 7-8 players are sorted, there could be a few changes depending on the pitch and playing 11 combinations. So, barring the above-mentioned ideal predicted playing 11, RR can also try for the following combinations. 

• Evin Lewis or Glen Philips for Liam Livingstone if the latter is out of the tournament due to injury. There is news surrounding Livingstone’s shoulder injury, and if it is severe, it could be problematic for RR. 
• Jaydev Unadkat or Akash Singh for Kartik Tyagi in case Kartik fails to impress
• Shreyas Gopal for Kartik Tyagi for spin-friendly wickets
• Anuj Rawat or Mahipal Lomror for Shivam Dube in case Dube suffers from poor form 

Thanks for reading! What’s your predicted playing 11 for Rajasthan Royals (RR) for IPL 2021 UAE? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.