IPL: Rajasthan Royals’s all-time XI

The Rajasthan Royals have been one of the most unique teams in IPL history. They have been known for promoting young talent and have done it successfully from the first season itself.

After winning the title in 2008, the Jaipur-based franchise failed to make it to the playoffs from 2009 to 2012. In 2013, they were defeated by Mumbai Indians in the second qualifier of the playoffs. In the same year, they were runners-up of the Champions League, under Rahul Dravid’s captaincy.

In 2014, Rajasthan Royals clashed with Mumbai Indians to secure the last available playoff berth. They were defeated by the Mumbai based franchise very narrowly, resulting in elimination. They finished fourth in IPL 2015.

The team, along with Chennai Super Kings was suspended from the league in 2016 and 2017, on disciplinary grounds. Rajasthan Royals is now back in 2018 and will look to start afresh.

Over all these years, the Royals have had some of the greatest modern day players turn up to play for them while also giving a chance to the youngster to make a name for themselves on a global stage. Here is the all-time XI of the Rajasthan Royals:

#1 Ajinkya Rahane

The Mumbai batsman was picked up by the Royals in 2011. He rose to prominence, however, in 2012 under Rahul Dravid’s captaincy. From an average of 20 in 2011, he averaged 40 in 2012.

Ajinkya Rahane has never been the big-hitting modern day player. He depends on proper cricketing shots and consistency. His style of playing served the Royals well from 2012 to 2015. Rahane has an aggregate of 2047 runs at an average of 34.43 for the Royals.

He has been a strong pillar at the team’s top order. 'Jinx', as he is often called, scored more than 450 runs during the tournament in 2012, 2013, and 2015. The Mumbaikar has played some fine innings’ for the franchise including a 58-ball century.

He is back with the Rajasthan Royals in 2018 and will look to continue his fine association.

#2 Shane Watson

The Australian all-rounder was with the franchise for all the seasons till 2015, before the team was suspended by the BCCI. Watson played a huge role in the evolution of Rajasthan Royals as a team.

Shane Watson was the Man of the tournament in two of Royals’ most successful campaigns in 2008 and 2013. Watto provided a great balance to the team. He could hit the ball a long way with the bat and trouble the batsmen with the ball.

He scored 2372 runs at an average of 37.33 for Rajasthan Royals. With the ball, he took 61 wickets at an economy of 7.6

Without Shane Watson, Rajasthan Royals could never have been the team that it turned out to be.

#3 Rahul Dravid

The Bengaluru boy was bought by the franchise in 2011. In his first season for the Royals, he made 343 runs at an average of 31.18. In the fast-moving format, he provided the much needed solidity to the batting order.

He also led the side in 2012 and 2013. In 2012, he was the seventh highest run-getter in the tournament. In 2013, he led the team to the playoffs of the IPL and the final of the Champions League.

After retiring, he mentored the team in 2014 and 2015. Under his mentorship, Rajasthan Royals qualified for the playoffs in 2015.

#4 Sanju Samson(WK)

The 19-year-old made his presence in the IPL in 2013. He performed decently in his maiden season. The following season in 2014 turned out to be very fruitful for the keeper-batsman. He amassed 339 runs at an average of 26.07 and a decent strike-rate of 124.17

His innings of 76 runs against Mumbai Indians in 2015 still remains one of the finest innings in IPL history. Though Rajasthan fell short by eight runs, Samson had showed his prowess.

He was with the Delhi Daredevils while the Rajasthan Royals were serving their suspension. The Jaipur based franchise bought him back for a whooping Rs. 8 crores in the 2018 auction and will look forward to seeing the best of him.

#5 Brad Hodge

The Australian batsman started playing for the Royals in 2012. He was one of the major pillars of the batting line up. In the three years with the team, he scored 639 runs at an average of 35.37. His strike-rate during this period was an excellent 138.22.

One of his finest innings came against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2013. His team was five down for 57 chasing a score of 133. He scored a quick-fire 59 off just 29 balls to take his team home.

Though Hodge did not play in the IPL after 2014, he continued his association with the IPL as a coach. The former Australian batsman coached the Gujarat Lions in season 9 and 10 and is set to do so for the Kings XI Punjab in 2018.

#6 Yusuf Pathan

Yusuf Pathan was picked for Rs 1.9 crore by the Rajasthan Royals in 2008. He turned out to be one of the biggest stories of the inaugural IPL edition. The Baroda lad hit the ball a long distance with brute power. He could also prove a handful with the ball in hand.

He was pivotal in the team’s win in 2008. He was awarded the ‘Man of the Match’ award in the final for his all-round performance. In the final against CSK, he took three wickets with the ball and scored 56 with the bat.

His 37-ball century against the Mumbai Indians is one of the most iconic performances in IPL history. During this innings, he hit boundaries off 11 consecutive balls.

Pathan moved to KKR in 2011 and remained with them till 2017. He will now play for SRH in IPL 2018.

#7 James Faulkner

Faulkner joined the franchise in 2013. He had played just three matches combined in IPL 2011 and 2012, but was given greater responsibility in the Rajasthan side. The Australian all-rounder amazingly stood up to the expectations.

He had amazing hitting power and could bowl his quota of four overs every match, which provided the perfect balance to the side. He was an excellent death bowler and had some great variations.

In his three years with the Rajasthan Royals, he took 47 wickets with a best of 5/16. With the bat, he accumulated 402 runs at a strike-rate of 141.5

#8 Shane Warne (C)

Rajasthan Royals was being termed as the weakest team after the auction in 2008. Shane Warne, who was at the fag end of his career, was appointed the captain of the side.

Warne, the captain did an exceptional job. He did not have many big names in his side. He converted it into his strength as he guided the youngsters in the right direction. The result was them being winners of the inaugural edition of the IPL.

Warne, the bowler, wasn’t too behind either. The Australian legend picked 19 wickets in the first season of the IPL with an economy under eight and at an average of 21.26.

He last played the IPL in 2011, ending an era for the Royals. He deserves much credit for creating a youngster-friendly environment in the team. Warne is back with the Royals as a coach in 2018 and will look to take forward the “Royal legacy”.

#9 Munaf Patel

The tall bowler from Gujarat was a key member of the side in the first two seasons of the IPL. He played a pivotal role in the team’s victory in 2008. The team management backed him to be one of the mainstays and he didn't disappoint.

Patel kept things simple. He had a smooth run-up and always focused on hitting the right areas.In 2008, he took 14 wickets at an economy of 7.63. In the following year, he scalped 16 wickets at an economy of 6.91 His best figures for the Royals were 3/17.

He moved to the Mumbai Indians in 2011 and was with them till 2013. He went unsold in the next year's auction. He was bought by the Gujarat Lions in the 10th edition of the IPL.

#10 Siddharth Trivedi

Trivedi played for Rajasthan Royals for six years till 2013 before he was banned. It was banned for not informing the authorities about the bookies who had approached him. Though he had no involvement in fixing, a small mistake cost him badly.

A relatively unknown bowler, Trivedi became a household name in 2008 when he dismissed both Tendulkar and Jayasuriya in the same innings. Much like Munaf Patel, he kept things simple and this simplicity got him all the success. He was consistent in all the seasons that he played.

At the end of six years with the Royals, he picked up 65 wickets at an economy of 7.58. He averaged 29.29 and had best figures of 4/25.

#11 Pravin Tambe

In the IPL auction of 2013, the Rajasthan Royals picked up an uncapped 41 year old leg-spinner. As expected, he did not play too many games in his first season and it seemed to be the end of the 41 year old’s short career. But, there was more in the store.

In 2014, Tambe was one of Royals’ main spinners. He played 13 games for them, picking up 15 wickets at an economy of just over seven. He choked the flow of runs in the middle, piling pressure on the batsmen.

His 4-20 against RCB and hat-trick against KKR were two of the most memorable performances of him with the Jaipur-based franchise. He played his last game in the IPL at the age of 44, proving that age is just a number.