Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu criticized the management of Rajasthan Royals for their ongoing focus on nurturing young talent, particularly following the franchise's poor performance in the IPL 2025 season. Under the leadership of Sanju Samson, the team finds itself struggling in the lower half of the points table after enduring consecutive narrow defeats against Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants. Rayudu expressed skepticism about the franchise's dedication to winning, noting that their sole championship victory dates back to 2008.

In the Royals' recent match against Lucknow, Sanju Samson was sidelined due to a side strain, leading Riyan Parag to take on the captaincy. The team fell short in their attempt to chase down 9 runs in the final over, resulting in a two-run loss facilitated by Avesh Khan's performance for Lucknow.

Rayudu challenged the Royals' strategic approach, asserting that entering a tournament like the IPL should not be about charity; rather, the primary objectives should be competition and victo

"I have often pondered the rationale behind RR's strategy: they have invested heavily in young players over the years, but what have they achieved? It has been 17 years since they last won an IPL title, yet they continue to present this as a strength. It seems like a noble endeavor for the sport, but it is not. The goal is to compete," Rayudu stated during an interview with ESPNCricinfo's Timeout.

"You are here to win the IPL, and there are established methods that teams have adopted to achieve this. However, you choose to follow your own path and justify it year after year. You expect people to recognize and appreciate your efforts in providing young talent from around the world with opportunities in the IPL," he continued.

Over the years, the Rajasthan Royals have invested in numerous young players, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, and Sanju Samson, among others. However, this season, the management is facing significant criticism, particularly for retaining Riyan Parag and Jurel, as both players have struggled to secure victories for the franchise in IPL 2025, leading to dissatisfaction among fans regarding their performances.

'IPL not breeding ground for talent'

Former South African wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher concurred with Rayudu, asserting that the IPL does not serve as a platform for developing talent; rather, it is a stage for established players who can fulfill various roles within their teams.

"I believe this applies to all franchises. The IPL is not a talent incubator; it is meant for finished products. No team enters the IPL with the expectation that they will develop a squad capable of succeeding in the next three years. That is the purpose of the auction," Boucher stated.

Currently, the Rajasthan Royals sit in eighth place on the points table, having accumulated only 4 points from 8 matches.

The franchise is set to face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) next on Thursday, April 23, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

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