Rajasthan Royals was the first champion of the Indian Premier League. Based in pink city Jaipur, Rajasthan, they are one among the initial franchises of IPL that have been with the League since its maiden season in 2008. The Royals were the least expensive of all teams in the Indian Premier League. However, they still managed to have some of the best players of both domestic and international cricket, including the likes of Shane Warne, Shane Watson, Rahul Dravid, Ajinkya Rahane, Yusuf Pathan and so on.
Often dubbed as “moneyball” squad of Indian premier League, the Royals are known for unearthing untapped yet highly promising talents both from the Indian and international cricket circuit. A good bunch of unknown players that were brought up the team are now considered as some of the best players of the world cricket. From the Indian circuit, you have names like Yusuf Pathan and Taruwar Kohli. Besides, Shane Watson’s brilliant performance in IPL played a key role in securing his berth as a permanent and leading member in Aussie national team. Other examples include Ajinkya Rahane, Sanju Samson, Steve Smith, Tim Southee and James Faulkner.
The leading run-scorer and wicket-taker of the team are Ajinkya Rahane (2705 runs) and Shane Watson (67) respectively.
At present, Sanju Samson is the captain of Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2021.
Iconic Aussie all-rounder Shane Warne is the Brand Ambassador of the team while Andrew McDonald is the head coach.
Amol Muzumdar is the batting coach and Sairaj Bahutule is the spin bowling coach of the team.
Rajasthan Royals in Semi final of IPL T20 - 2 times
Rajasthan Royals in Final of IPL T20 - 1
Rajasthan Royals Team 2021 - Dream11 RR IPL 13 Squad List
- Sanju Samson (Captain)
- Ben Stokes
- Jos Buttler
- Jofra Archer
- Manav Vohra
- Varun Aaron
- Riyan Parag
- Shashank Singh
- Shreyas Gopal
- Mahipal Lomror
- Ankit Rajpoot
- Mayank Markande
- Robin Uthappa
- Jaydev Unadkat
- Rahul Tewatia
- Kartik Tyagi
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Anuj Rawat
- Oshane Thomas
- Akash Singh
- David Miller
- Andrew Tye
- Aniruddha Joshi
- Tom Curran
READ : Most Expensive Player IPL 2020
Rajasthan Royals Past Performance (year wise)
Rajasthan Royals were not exactly a favorite team in the inaugural season of the IPL but they left everyone in awe by winning the historic maiden IPL trophy with a grand display of supreme cricket. It’s true that they started off the tournament with a loss in the first match but their successive wins in the latter matches brought the game in their favor. Of the 14 matches played, they managed to seal the victory in as many as 11. In fact, in the 2008 season, the Rajasthan team was the first to reach the semi-final. In the final, the team finally clinched victory by defeating IPL favorite Chennai Super Kings in a thrilling match. Shane Watson won the award of Man of the Tournament for his excellence with both bat and ball. Sohail Tanvir received the Purple Cap for being the leading wicket-taker in IPL for the 2008 season.
The defending champs of 2009 IPL did not have great year in the second season of the League. One of the main reasons was certainly was unavailability of Shane Watson and Sohail Tanvir. Both these international players had been two great players for the Royals in the previous season and their absence was a huge blow to the team. The Royals started their 2nd IPL journey with a defeat and that continued for many of the following matches as well. Out of the 14 matches played, the Rajasthan team could only manage to win in 6 of them. In fact, their concurrent losses brought them at the last leg of the points table and many of the players were sent home. Given the poor performance, Rajasthan Royals had to leave the championship before reaching the Playoffs.
The 3rd season of the IPL was a pretty erratic one for the Rajasthan Royals. They started with a loss in the first match but the team’s impeccable performance won hearts big time. It was also the match where Yusuf Pathan made a record by scoring the fastest century in IPL (100 off just 37 balls!). The second and third matches also could not bring victory for the team but they started winning from the 4th match. Yusuf Pathan was in a stellar form all through and was a great support for the team. Other important players who showed excellent performance for the Royals were Adam Voges and Nama Ojha. However, despite their great cricket, Rajasthan Royals failed to reach up to the Playoffs.
The 4th season of the Indian Premier League started with a legal woe for the Rajasthan Royals. They were even ejected temporarily along with Kings XI Punjab. But, finally, they got the nod from Mumbai High Court and were allowed to play. However, their team fund was reduced given their involvement in legal charges. But, still the Rajasthan team managed to buy some great names of world cricket like Rahul Dravid, Ross Taylor, Shaun Tate and Paul Collingwood.
The 2011 IPL was the first season where the Rajasthan Royals started the tournament with a grand win against Deccan Chargers in their first match. Despite age, Shane Warne once again proved to be one of the most dependable pillars for Rajasthan royals as he continued wowing with consistent excellence. But, then, the team could not maintain the winning spree and could only manage to win 6 of the 14 matches played. They couldn’t finish on top 4 and had to leave the League on the 6th position. The season also had Shane Warne retiring as a player from all forms of cricket.
The 2012 IPL edition was not exactly a good season for Rajasthan Royals. The team started with a poor performance and continued with the sorry form more or less throughout the series. Of the 14 matches played, they could only win 7 of them. The team finished at a lower rung of the points table and had to leave the League on the 7th position.
The 6th season of the IPL was comparatively a better year for the Rajasthan Royals. It was the first season that saw the Rajasthan team in the Playoffs for the first time, after their winning innings in the first edition of IPL. Of the 16 matches played, the team secured win in as many as 10 of them. Their improved performance got them a berth in the Playoffs where they faced and defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator round. However, they were defeated by Mumbai Indians in the semi-final which prevented them from reaching to the final. Shane Watson, one of the key players of the Royals, received the award of Man of the Tournament.
The 2013 IPL was also the season where Rajasthan Royals got embroiled into spot-fixing charges owing to which 3 of the team players (Ajit Chandila, Ankeet Chavan and Sreesanth) were suspended by BCCI.
Rajasthan Royals started the season by retaining 5 important players, Shane Watson, Stuart Binny, James Faulkner, Ajinkya Rahane and Sanju Samson. Rahul Dravid retired as a player and joined the team as a mentor. In regards to match performances, the Royals team could not manage anything notable. They could only win in 7 matches out of 14 matches played. Their poor performance prevented them from reaching the Playoffs and the team concluded the season with 5th rank on the points table.
The 2015 IPL season was relatively a better year for the Rajasthan team. The team won in 6 matches out of 14 matches played. But, the god thing is , they could secure a berth in the Playoff in the 4th position. However, they were defeated by another Royal (Royal Challengers Bangalore) in the Eliminator round which prevented them from reaching the semi-final.
The team was in suspension given fictitious and inappropriate bidding charges and could not play in the 2016 season. The erstwhile royals owner Raj Kundra was banned from any activity in Indian Premier League forever.
The suspension continued and this time too the Rajasthan team could not participate in the Indian Premier League.
The 11th season of the Indian Premier League was a comeback edition for Rajasthan Royals as it got them back to the field after two years of suspension. The Rajasthan team retained former Aussie skipper Steve Smith and designated him as the captain. But, he had to step down from the role of a skipper due to his involvement in ball tamper controversy and Rahane was appointed as the captain. The 2018 season was a good year for the Royals as once again they could manage to secure a berth in the Playoffs. Moreover, Royals’ star batsman Jos Buttler created history by pinning the fastest half-century for the Royals. Of the 14 matches played, the team won at 7. They went to Playoffs with 4th rank on points table but were defeated by Kolkata Knight Riders in the Eliminator round.
The 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League did not see Royals in a strong form. The team released six players and retained 16 names. Steve Smith was back to the field once again after his suspension ended. Although Rahane was still the captain yet poor performances from the team led to re-appointment of Smith as the captain once again. But, the team could only manage to win in 5 matches out of 13 played and finished at the 7th position on the points table.
Rajasthan Royals began the IPL 2020 tournament by great win over Chennai and Punjab team. With these victories it was believed as an important contestant and threat to big teams also. However, with more games the performance deteriorated and team could not make road to semi-final also. RR showed quality performances in Sharjah Stadium but failed to perform at other venues. The team was captained by Steven Smith. He played good knocks for team. The best thing happened to Rajasthan Royals was all-rounder Rahul Tewatiya. He was a rising star for RR franchise. He smashed 5 sixes in an over and changed the game for Rajasthan Royals. Team could show good performance in batting section but again bowling was not up to mark which led the team to lose at important matches. Poor performance by expert batsmen also proved a disaster for the team as in many games top order collapsed badly leading to loss of match. With an average run rate it could lead to the league matches only and overall the season was not much noticeable. RR won only their 6 league games and finished the season at bottom position in points table.
Rajasthan Royals Team Captain
Rajasthan Royals started their innings in Indian Premier League under the captaincy of legendary Aussie all-rounder Shane Warne. It was under Warne that the team won its very first and only IPL trophy till date. After Warne retired as a player from cricket in 2011, Shane Watson was appointed as the captain of the team since the 2012 season. Watson led the team till the 2015 IPL before the team faced 2-year suspension. After the team came back from suspension in 2018, Steve Smith was appointed as the captain. But, when he was suspended the same year, Ajinkya Rahane was bestowed with the role of a skipper. He wasthe skipper in the 2019 edition too but was soon replaced by Steve Smith.
Rajasthan Royals official home venue
The official home venue for Rajasthan Royals is Jaipur-based Sawai Mansingh Stadium. One among the best in the country, the stadium boasts a grand capacity of 30,000 people. The stadium had a huge makeover back in 2006 that led to the development of state-of-the-art cricket academy, gym around 30 appointed rooms, conference halls, swimming pool and a restaurant. The stadium is operated by Rajasthan Cricket Association. However, some of the home matches of Rajasthan Royals were also played Ahmedabad-based Sardar Patel Stadium.
Rajasthan Royals Team owner
The owner of Rajasthan Royals is Emerging Media. At present, the franchise is chaired and owned by Indian entrepreneur Manoj Badale. There are 3 other stakeholders in the team, including Amisha Hathiramani, Lachlan Murdoch and Shane Warne.
Rajasthan Royals official Website: www.rajasthanroyals.com
Rajasthan Royals Winning history
Rajasthan Royals had only 1 win in the IPL, in the maiden season of the League in 2008.
Season wise Rajasthan Royals Captain List
- IPL 2008 (IPL 1) : Shane Warne
- IPL 2009 (IPL 2) : Shane Warne
- IPL 2010 (IPL 3) : Shane Warne
- IPL 2011 (IPL 4) : Shane Warne
- IPL 2012 (IPL 5) : Rahul Dravid
- IPL 2013 (IPL 6) : Rahul Dravid
- IPL 2014 (IPL 7) : Shane Watson
- IPL 2015 (IPL 8) : Shane Watson
IPL 2016 (IPL 9)IPL 2017 (IPL 10)- IPL 2018 (IPL 11) : Ajinkya Rahane
- IPL 2019 (IPL 12) : Ajinkya Rahane and Steve Smith
- IPL 2020 (IPL 13) : Steve Smith
- IPL 2021 (IPl 14) : Sanju Samson
Best Players of Rajasthan Royals
Ben Stokes
The English all-rounder is certainly one of the most trusted pillars for Rajasthan Royals. He wowed the cricket world last year with its incredible performance in the ODI World Cup and is in a fantastic form of late. RR fans is expecting the same superior performance for their favorite team in the upcoming IPL as well.
Jos Buttler
Buttler was the one to score a majestic fastest 50 for RR in the team’s comeback season in 2018 and has always been a top favorite among the Royals players. Many a times, the star batsman has won matches for the Royals single-handedly and he is undoubtedly one of the best batting power for the team.
Shreyas Gopal
RR has always been known for unearthing unknown talents and Gopal I undoubtedly one of the best finds of the team of late. He had a remarkable innings last season where he boasted a so0lid 7.22 economy rate, 14,40 strike and picked up as many as 20 wickets. The team is expecting the same stellar performance from the promising spinner in the upcoming IPL as well.
Rajasthan Royals Head to Head in IPL
Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Head to Head
Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders Head to Head
Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians Head to Head
Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Head to Head
Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals Head to Head
Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab Head to Head in IPL
Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings Head to Head