IPL 2024 Auction Analysis: Rajasthan Royals bank on Rovman Powell for big runs but lack quality all-rounder

In the more recent seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Rajasthan Royals (RR) have been rather unfortunate to miss out on the playoffs on multiple occasions, despite boasting of an excellent team on paper. Ever since winning the inaugural IPL in 2008, RR have only reached the final once, in 2022, when they went down to eventual champions Gujarat Titans (GT).

Under Sanju Samson as skipper, RR have been a team synonymous for having a mix of youth and experience in their side. They usually enter an IPL season with an explosive top-order, some fine match-winning all-rounders and probably the best spin attack you would see.

Ahead of the IPL 2024 auction, the Royals had to fill eight slots, including three overseas and a remaining purse of Rs 14.5 crore. Royals filled five of these available total slots, and ended up still having three more slots to fill (None overseas) at the end of the auction.

Pre-auction gaps

Ahead of the auction in Dubai, one major slot to fill in for RR was their middle-order batting. RR had released the likes of Joe Root and Jason Holder, while trading out Devdutt Padikkal to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), in place of Avesh Khan.

Holder being released meant that RR needed a good seam-bowler, and this where the acquisition of South Africa’s Nandre Burger (Rs 50 lakh) comes in. As for the middle-order batting, RR have filled that by investing heavily on Rovman Powell (Rs 7.40 crore) and Shubham Dubey (Rs 5.80 crore).

Strengths

Rajasthan Royals were spot on in the acquisition of Rovman Powell. He leads Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and will be of huge help for the youngsters in the squad.

RR also have brought in Nandre Burger as back-up for New Zealand’s Trent Boult, whereas Tom Kohler-Cadmore, a wicketkeeper from England, brings versatility and can bat wherever the team demands him to do so.

RR also have acquired Shubham Dubey, a 29-year-old who had a good outing for Vidarbha in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament, where he scored 221 runs at a strike rate of 187.

Weaknesses

Rajasthan Royals are missing a quality all-rounder, especially following the departure of Jason Holder. Riyan Parag wasn’t in the best of form in the IPL earlier this year, although he did score 279 runs and take 11 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. However, Parag is the only all-rounder in the squad and RR lack a reputed all-rounder who can step up at vital moments of a game.

Best buy

Rovman Powell (Rs 7.40 crore) was by far the best buy for Rajasthan Royals. He is a match-winner and knows a thing or two about winning titles in T20 leagues, having led Jamaica Tallawahs to title victory in Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2022.

Powell will form a vital core of RR’s batting lineup and will hope his presence adds a boost to the same, especially with RR repeatedly having endured low scores in IPL 2023.

Worst buy

While it’s difficult to pick a worst buy from this Rajasthan Royals setup, it could be said that RR could have resisted themselves from buying Tom Kohler-Cadmore for Rs 40 ;akh, given the depth in wicketkeeping they already possess. RR already have Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel and Jos SButtler as three primary wicketkeeping options, along with Kunal Singh Rathore, who was also retained. RR could have focussed on a prominent all-rounder instead.

Players bought by RR at IPL 2024 Auction: Rovman Powell (Rs 7.4 crore), Shubham Dubey (Rs 5.8 crore), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Rs 40 lakh), Abid Mushtaq (Rs 20 lakh), Nandre Burger (Rs 50 lakh)

RR full squad: Sanju Samson, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna, Navdeep Saini, Avesh Khan (Traded from LSG), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kuldeep Sen, Sandeep Sharma, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Kunal Singh Rathore, Jos Buttler, Trent Boult, Adam Zampa, Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Rovman Powell, Shubham Dubey, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Abid Mushtaq, Nandre Burger

Purse left: Rs 20 lakh

Overseas slots available: 0

Total available slots: 3