IPL 2020: 3 factors that can aid Rajasthan Royals in capturing their second title

Rajasthan Royals have had a strange journey in the IPL. In 2008, when they were one of the most unfancied sides in the tournament, but they went on to win the trophy. Led admirably by Shane Warne, the tournament made heroes out of Shane Watson and Yusuf Pathan

However, after the pressure of expectations grew, they failed to live up to the standards set by their 2008 selves. Rajasthan have made it to the playoffs only thrice since the victory in the first edition - 2013 (3rd), 2015 (4th) and 2018 (4th). Among the rest of the years, they finished 5th in 2014, 6th in 2009 and 2011, and 7th in 2010, 2012 and last year. They were also suspended for two years, along with Chennai Super Kings, on disciplinary grounds.

Here’s a look at three things that can help RR set the record straight in IPL 2020.

#1 Smith and Buttler need to shine

Steve Smith (picture courtesy: BCCI/iplt20.com)

Just like David Warner and Jonny Bairstow for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Ashes rivals Steve Smith and Jos Buttler will be key to Rajasthan Royals’ fortunes. Smith will lead RR in the 2020 edition.

Also see – World Test Championship points table

Apart from leadership skills, Smith will be expected to come up with consistent batting efforts. He has the ability to take on the best of attacks; either side of his ban in 2018, he impressed with three fifties each in 2017 and 2019. RR would want bigger knocks from Smith this time.

Jos Buttler

As for Buttler, it was his brilliance for the Royals that put his international career back on track. In 2018, the swashbuckler slammed 548 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of 155.24 with five fifties. He continued his dazzling run last year as well with 311 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 151.70, with three fifties.

Buttler’s aggressive starts give the right push to the Royals at the start of the innings. As a combination, if Buttler and Smith fire, Royals can set or chase just about anything.

#2 Ben Stokes needs to come to the party

Ben Stokes

England all-rounder Ben Stokes turned most things he touched into gold in the second half of 2019. He won the World Cup for England, and then played the innings of a lifetime at Headingley to lift his side to a miraculous win in the Ashes Test.

At the start of 2020, Stokes took three wickets in 14 balls to lead England to victory over South Africa in the Newlands Test. Considering the magical form that he is in, the Royals will have high hopes from the Englishman.

The 26-year-old though has an underwhelming IPL record, and hence will be under pressure to prove a point. In 2018, he scored 196 runs in 13 matches and claimed eight wickets. There wasn’t much improvement in the 2019 edition - 123 runs in nine matches and just six wickets.

However, Stokes has been a different player before and after IPL 2019. The confidence that he has displayed in extremely tough circumstances, against all odds, has been exceptional.

It is this Stokes that needs to turn up for the Royals this year.

#3 The underrated spinner

Shreyas Gopal

While the IPL has brought into prominence names like Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, another spinner from Rajasthan Royals is gradually making his mark.

26-year-old leggie Shreyas Gopal had an excellent season in 2019. In 14 matches, he picked up an impressive bag of 20 wickets at a strike rate of 14.40 and an average of 17.35. Gopal even picked up a hat-trick in the rain-affected game against RCB at Bengaluru; his victims included the big names Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Marcus Stoinis.

Gopal was also the man of the match when the Royals defeated RCB at Jaipur earlier in the edition. He bamboozled Kohli and De Villiers that time as well, and added the scalp of Shimron Hetmyer.

The two performances in which he made two of the world’s greatest batsmen look mortal proved the great skills he possesses with the ball. Although another leg-spinner Mayank Markande has also been picked in the squad, the Royals will have high hopes from Gopal.

His ability to get the big wickets is what makes him a really dangerous bowler. Another good season will put his name in the reckoning for a World T20 spot in case Kuldeep Yadav and Chahal continue their downward spiral.