Rajasthan Royals experienced a notably successful period during the last three years of the IPL, yet their achievements were somewhat limited. Aside from reaching the final in 2022, the team often faltered at critical moments, causing their momentum to wane at pivotal stages of the tournament.

This season, their journey begins with a challenging match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, a formidable opponent for any team. On paper, the Royals appear to possess a strong batting lineup, even in the absence of Jos Buttler. However, concerns arise regarding their bowling attack, which has had to be rebuilt from the ground up, necessitating peak performances from their players.

In their opening match, captain Sanju Samson has confirmed he will participate solely as a batsman while recovering from an injury. He is expected to open the batting alongside the exceptionally talented Yashasvi Jaiswal, creating a powerful opening partnership that will be essential in competing against Abhishek and Head.

In the 3-4 batting positions, Riyan Parag and Nitish Rana are likely to be utilized based on matchups, considering left-right combinations. Following Parag’s impressive season last year, he is a player to watch closely. Rana, acquired at a budget-friendly price, serves as a solid option for the top order and also contributes as a bowler, enhancing the team's bowling strength.

The Royals faced criticism for their significant investment in Dhruv Jurel, but he will take on the role of wicket-keeper and occupy a middle-order position. He must demonstrate his ability to consistently hit powerfully and improve upon his strike rate of 138 from the previous year. Additionally, RR boasts a dependable finisher in Shimron Hetmyer, the powerful West Indian who has consistently delivered strong performances in the IPL over recent years. Hetmyer is also capable of batting higher in the order if the situation calls for him to build an innings.

RR's tail may be somewhat lengthy, as Wanindu Hasaranga is anticipated to bat at the seventh position. However, he will be supported by fellow Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana, who is expected to lead the spin bowling efforts. Following them, the pace attack is likely to feature a returning Jofra Archer, along with Tushar Deshpande and Sandeep Sharma. The impact rule may introduce another Indian fast bowler, with Akash Madhwal as a potential candidate, although adding an extra spinner like Kumar Kartikeya is also a possibility.

The bowling lineup appears somewhat thin, as RR seems to rely on their batting strength, which lacks depth. This opening match could provide significant insights into RR's capabilities and the trajectory of their season.

RR likely XI vs SRH:

The team comprises Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag (captain), Nitish Rana, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana, and Sandeep Sharma.

Read Also: Rohit Sharma's Candid Remarks: "We've Been Trying to Win Our First IPL Match for Years"

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