3 players who have scored a century for Rajasthan Royals

The Rajasthan Royals have been one of the most underrated teams in the history of IPL. The franchise has always chosen younger talent above the big names and nurtured them to achieve success.

Players like Sanju Samson, Ajinkya Rahane, Shane Watson, Ravindra Jadeja, Karun Nair, Stuart Binny, Yusuf Pathan, Dhawal Kulkarni, Deepak Hooda and James Faulkner, all made a name for themselves playing for the Rajasthan Royals.

However, the inaugural champions of the Indian Premier League have had only three players who have scored a century for them. Here are the players who scored a ton while playing for the Jaipur franchise.

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#3 Shane Watson (101 off 58 balls vs Chennai Super Kings and 104* off 59 balls vs Kolkata Knight Riders)

Shane Watson is the only player to have scored two centuries while playing for the Rajasthan Royals

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Rajasthan Royals got off to a perfect start, thanks to Shane Watson’s fireworks in the power-play overs.

The Australian all-rounder brought up his half-century in just 29 deliveries as Rajasthan seemed to pose a huge challenge to the home team, Chennai Super Kings.

However, the run rate slowed down as the innings progressed as Watson didn’t get support from any of his partners. But, that did not stop him as he achieved his first ever three digit score in the IPL.

He scored 101 off 58 balls before departing in the 18th over. However, his innings of 101 was not enough as Michael Hussey and Suresh Raina powered MS Dhoni's side to a five-wicket win.

Two years later, in an encounter against the Shahrukh Khan-owned Kolkata Knight Riders, RR elected to bat first at their adopted home ground, Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai.

Shane Watson looked in impeccable form as, he along with Ajinkya Rahane, piled up 66 runs in the power-play overs. Though Rahane departed in the seventh over, there was no bowler in the opposition bowling attack who could stop Watson.

The all-rounder smashed nine fours and five sixes to bring up his second IPL century. He remained not out on 104 and picked up two wickets in the KKR innings to set up a memorable nine-run victory for his side.

#2 Ajinkya Rahane (103* off 60 balls vs Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Despite being ignored for the Indian T20 team, Ajinkya Rahane has continued to be the cornerstone of the RR franchise in IPL

Ajinkya Rahane has been one of the key batsmen for the Jaipur franchise ever since he has been a part of it.

Fans do not consider the right-handed batsman as a T20 batsman due to his slow scoring rate, but the Mumbaikar has always delivered for his franchise whenever he opens the innings donning the Royals jersey.

In a match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Rahul Dravid elected to bat first after winning the toss.

Rahane, who was in the form of his life, looked in sublime touch against the RCB bowlers as he brought up his half-century in 41 balls.

But, Rahane changed gears and added more 53 runs to his score in just 19 balls. His 103 off 60 helped Rajasthan defeat RCB by 59 runs.

#1 Yusuf Pathan (100 off 37 balls vs Mumbai Indians)

Yusuf's century went in vain as his team lost the match by four runs

The Baroda all-rounder Yusuf Pathan is the only batsman to have scored a hundred for Rajasthan Royals while chasing a target. Coming out to bat at number 5, the Indian discard blew away the Mumbai Indians' bowling attack as he led RR's chase of a mammoth 213. Pathan hit 9 fours and 8 sixes in his blistering innings and added 107 runs in 47 balls with Paras Dogra for the 5th wicket.

However, he could not face a ball after reaching his 100 as he was run-out while running to the striker's end. He is the only player in the history of the Indian Premier League to have scored a century in a losing cause, batting second. Nevertheless, Pathan registered his name in the history books by becoming the first player to score a 100 for Rajasthan Royals.

Which RR batsman do you think will be the next to score a century? Share your views in the comments section below.