IPL 2020: Rajasthan Royals (RR) – All-time XI

Rajasthan Royals won the IPL in 2008.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) were the first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, winning the inaugural edition in 2008. Shane Warne was quite an odd pick for the franchise, as he later revealed that he was contacted by them to come out of retirement and take over the team as captain and coach.

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He led the team till 2010 and in later parts were captained by Rahul Dravid, Ajinkya Rahane and Steve Smith. RR made it into the playoffs in 2013, 2015 and 2016. The team has always punched above their weight and has always been known for smart picks in the auction and the same things were seen in this auction as well, as they let go of Rahane and brought in Miller and Uthappa in the IPL 2020 auction.

Keeping this in mind, Team COC presents to you the All-time XI of the franchise.

Check out the Rajasthan Royals’ All-time XI here

SHANE WATSON
M: 78| Runs: 2372| HS: 104*| SR: 141.27| 100s: 2| 50s: 14| 4s: 237|6s: 109| Wkts: 61| Eco: 7.49| BB: 3/10

Shane Watson won the Most Valuable of Player of the Tournament award with Rajasthan Royals twice with one coming in 2008 and another coming in 2013. He was by far the best batsman for them during the initial years, hitting two centuries during his tenure, making 2372 runs and picking 61 wickets as well. He also made 14 half-centuries, for the franchise, with whom he won the title in 2008.

JOS BUTTLER (WK)
M: 21| Runs: 859| HS: 95*| SR: 153.94| 100s: 0| 50s: 8| 4s: 90| 6s: 35

Jos Buttler was an amazing pick by the franchise in 2018 and he proved his worth with 859 runs across two seasons with eight half-centuries and in 2019 edition, he made the move to open the innings and was the right call made by the management as he broke free of shackles and gave RR some good wins.

AJINKYA RAHANE
M: 100| Runs: 2810| HS: 105*| SR: 122.65| 100s: 2| 50s: 17| 4s: 302| 6s: 53

Ajinkya Rahane joined Rajasthan Royals in 2011 and till 2019, he played 100 matches for them scoring 2810 runs with two centuries and the highest score of 105*. His strike-rate of 122.65 was often the point of contention during his tenure with the team in the last few editions, but he will be remembered as one of the cornerstones of the franchise, both as player and captain.

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SANJU SAMSON
M: 65| Runs: 1532| HS: 102*| SR: 131.61| 100s: 1| 50s: 7| 4s: 118| 6s: 62

Sanju Samson has been amazing for the now pink brigade. In 65 matches, he has scored 1532 runs with one of his two IPL centuries coming for RR. He scored his runs at a strike rate of 131.61. Samson also kept wickets with much success in his first tenure with RR, but in his second run, he has been more successful with the bat.

KARUN NAIR
M: 25| Runs: 511| HS: 73*| SR: 135.54| 100s: 0| 50s: 4| 4s: 56| 6s: 14

Karun Nair made 511 runs in 25 matches for the Royals with the best score of 73* at a strike rate of 135.34. Nair played a crucial role in the middle order often anchoring the innings and laying a good platform for hitters to go berserk.

YUSUF PATHAN
M: 43| Runs: 1011| HS: 100| SR: 161.24| 100s: 1| 50s: 6| 4s: 89|6s: 61| Wkts: 20| Eco: 7.39| BB: 3/22

Yusuf Pathan was the find of IPL in its earlier years, scoring 1011 runs in 43 matches across three seasons. He scored a brilliant 37-ball 100 against MI, an innings that is still remembered as one of the all-time best centuries of the league. He made 6 half-centuries and picked 20 wickets with his gentle off-spin as well. His strike rate of 161.24 remains one of the highest amongst RR players.

RAVINDRA JADEJA
M: 27| Runs: 430| HS: 42| SR: 116.53| 100s: 0| 50s: 0| 4s: 32|6s: 12| Wkts: 6| Eco: 6.74| BB: 3/15

Dubbed the ‘rockstar’ by captain Shane Warne, 2008 U19 World Cup winner Ravindra Jadeja shone brightly in the first edition of the tournament with his ability to score quick runs and lightning-quick fielding. Though his record of 430 runs in 27 matches doesn’t display his contribution to the team, the 2008 IPL win of Royals had a lot of Jadeja magic in it.  

JOFRA ARCHER
M: 21| Wkts: 26| BB: 3/15| 4Ws: 0| 5Ws: 0 | Eco: 7.52

Jofra Archer was the big fish caught by RR in the 2018 auction given that the hype around the English fast bowler was high. He has justified his selection and then retention by Royals with 26 wickets in 21 games and a handful of pretty good innings with the bat as well, especially against Kolkata Knight Riders when he scored 27* in 12 balls.

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SHANE WARNE (C)
M: 55| Wkts: 57| BB: 4/21| 4Ws: 1| 5Ws: 0 | Eco: 7.27

Australian legend Shane Warne had retired from the game in 2007 but was coaxed by the Rajasthan Royals’ management to play for three seasons and he did amazingly well, as the captain and coach of the team. He led the team to the title in 2008 and picked 57 wickets in 55 games with the best bowling of 4/21 at an economy of 7.27. He showed that leg-spinners will be the future of T20 cricket, something that has come true.

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SHREYAS GOPAL
M: 25| Wkts: 31| BB: 4/16| 4Ws: 1| 5Ws: 0 | Eco: 7.37

Shreyas Gopal has picked 31 wickets in 25 matches including a hat-trick for the Rajasthan franchise. The leg-spinner has been used as a wicket-taking option by the captain and he has more often than not come good for the skipper.

SIDDHARTH TRIVEDI
M: 76| Wkts: 65| BB: 4/25| 4Ws: 1| 5Ws: 0 | Eco: 7.58

A surprising choice, but Siddharth Trivedi was one of the best bowlers Rajasthan Royals had from 2008-2013. The Gujarat fast bowler picked 65 wickets in 76 matches for the Royals at an economy of 7.58 and his arsenal included all the variations needed to be successful in the T20 format, which he used wisely.