IPL history: 3 lowest totals by Rajasthan Royals

Over the last 11 years of the Indian Premier League (IPL), batting has revolutionized and we have seen some towering scores. Batsmen have got better and have found ways to score. However, there have also been times when the entire batting line-up has failed to stand up. Thus, resulting in some low scores.

Rajasthan Royals are not the most decorated sides but they’ve always punched above their weight. However, in their 9-year IPL history (they were suspended in 2016 and 2017), they have registered four scores of under 100. Hence, here let’s look at three of the lowest ever totals registered by Rajasthan Royals.

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#3 92 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore – 2010 (Bangalore)

2010 wasn’t a great season for the Rajasthan Royals side. Neither did they get off to a good start but they also didn’t finish well. They finished at the second last position in the points table in the third edition.

In that season, the Royals lost the first couple of games. They lost a close game against Mumbai Indians (MI) chasing a huge target before they were comprehensively beaten by Delhi Daredevils (DD). However, they hit a new low in their third match.

After being put into bat by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the Rajasthan openers got off to a slow start. They added just 27 runs in the first five overs. But three wickets in as many overs pegged them back. However, a counter-attack from Yusuf Pathan (26) threatened to get RR back on track. But brilliance from Kohli ended Pathan’s knock and RR’s innings just went downhill.

Praveen Kumar combined with Anil Kumble to skittle the Royals for a mere 92. Pathan was the highest scorer in the game for RR. The RCB openers chased the target down with ease as they got to 93 in just 10.4 overs to register a huge win.

#2 81 vs Kolkata Knight Riders – 2011 (Kolkata)

The Royals struggled against KKR in the 2011 season

In 2011, Rajasthan Royals had a good start to the season. They won their first couple of games before they lost twice in two games against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). In the second game against KKR, Rajasthan Royals registered their second lowest total ever in the IPL.

In their fourth game of the league, Rajasthan Royals were put into bat as KKR won the toss at the Eden Gardens. But the Royals batting line-up never got going as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. The openers put on 24 off 22 balls before the slide began. All KKR bowlers chipped in as they bundled the Royals out for just 81. The innings lasted just 15.2 overs as just one RR batsman could go past the 20-run mark.

KKR did lose Jacques Kallis off the second delivery of the innings, Manvinder Bisla didn’t last long either but Gautam Gambhir and Manoj Tiwary scored 30s as they took KKR through as they chased down 82 in 13.5 overs.

#1 58 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore – 2009 (Cape Town)

Jessie Ryder picked up a couple of wickets as RR were bowled out for 58

RCB and RR had contrasting seasons in 2008. While the Royals lifted the IPL title, RCB finished seventh. However, the tide turned in the 2009 season when the IPL was shifted to South Africa. In the second game of the season, the defending champions faced the Bangalore-based franchise.

RCB won the toss and opted to bat first but they got off to a terrible start. Dimitri Mascarenhas wreaked havoc as he picked up three quick wickets to push RCB back. But 32 from Kevin Pietersen and 66 from Rahul Dravid helped RCB post 132 in their 20 overs.

RR crumbled in their chase as they were bowled out for a mere 58. They kept losing wickets and never got any momentum in their innings. Praveen Kumar picked up the first couple of wickets before Anil Kumble worked his magic picking up 5/5, helping RCB win by 75 runs. This 58 was the lowest total for close to 9 years before RCB sunk to a new low in 2017 when they were bowled out for 49.

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