Ranking all the IPL 2023 purchases for RR based on their performances this season

Despite having one of the best rosters, Rajasthan Royals (RR) failed to qualify for the play-offs of the ongoing IPL 2023. The Sanju Samson-led unit finished fifth on the points table with seven wins and as many defeats across 14 league games.

Rajasthan needed both Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to lose on the last day of the league campaign. However, MI won their game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), knocking RR out.

With a stacked batting unit and world-class spinners, RR were favourites to at least qualify for the knockouts. But they certainly underperformed and lost six of their last nine league games, which led to their downfall.

Prior to the tournament, they had a decent IPL 2023 auction, where they picked up a total of nine players. Out of those nine players, RR gave chances to six players.

On that note, let's rank all the Rajasthan Royals purchases at the IPL 2023 auction based on their performance in IPL 2023.

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#1 Adam Zampa - 8/10

Adam Zampa alongside Sanju Samson [IPLT20]

Rajasthan's decision to buy Adam Zampa at the mini-auction surprised many fans as they already had two quality Indian spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, in their ranks.

As a result, Zampa had to wait for his chances and the team played him only on surfaces which offered assistance to the slower bowlers. The Australian leg-spinner played a total of six games and took eight wickets at a decent strike rate of 16.5.

Zampa's 3/22 (in three overs) against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Jaipur was certainly his best performance for RR. He proved to be the best signing out of the nine this season.

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#2 KM Asif - 7.5/10

KM Asif celebrating with Sanju Samson [IPLT20]

Picked up at only ₹30 lakhs, KM Asif showcased that he can be a part of RR's pace unit next season as well. With Prasidh Krishna ruled out due to injury, Rajasthan tried a few Indian pacers, including Asif.

Asif played in the tournament-opener against SRH and leaked only 15 runs in three overs. In the next game, he was taken apart and gave away 54 runs against the Punjab Kings (PBKS), following which he was dropped from the team.

However, RR gave him another chance in the game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he bagged the prized wicket of Andre Russell.

Across four innings, the 29-year-old took three wickets but at an economy rate of 9.86. RR will hope that Asif brings more variety into his bowling and comes back even stronger next year.

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#3 Joe Root - 6.5/10

Joe Root during training session with RR [IPLT20]

There were mixed reviews of RR’s decision to purchase Joe Root for ₹1 crore. While some felt that his game is suited only for red-ball and 50-over cricket, others believed that he would certainly bring solidity to the batting line-up.

However, due to the overseas rule, Root didn't get enough opportunities to showcase his abilities. Unfortunately for him, Root didn't get to bat in his IPL debut against Hyderabad before Yashasvi Jaiswal's heroics (98* off 47) deprived Root another chance against KKR.

Root finally batted in the IPL for the first time against RCB, where RR were bundled out for a mere 59 runs in Jaipur. Root got 10 off 15 during the game, which was the second-highest score by any RR batter during that innings.

Already a legend in Test match cricket, Root didn't have enough opportunities in his first-ever lPL campaign.

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#4 Murugan Ashwin - 6/10

Another spinner on this list, Murugan Ashwin didn't have enough opportunities either. Picked up for only ₹20 lakhs, the 32-year-old was added as a backup for Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin.

M Ashwin played only two games, where he bowled a total of four overs. However, he failed to impress, going wicketless and leaking runs at an economy rate of 13.25.

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#5 Jason Holder - 5.5/10

Jason Holder taking a catch for RR [IPLT20]

Rajasthan's marquee signing at the IPL 2023 mini-auction, Jason Holder, turned out to be one of the flops of the season.

Coming in with the reputation of a great all-rounder, who can bowl in any phase of an innings, Holder played eight games in lPL 2023.

The Caribbean pacer failed to impress, taking only four wickets at an alarming bowling average of 71 and an economy rate of 9.96. With the bat, he scored only 12 runs across three innings.

Much was expected from Holder, given that he was acquired for a fee of ₹5.75 crore. However, RR will hope that he redeems himself next season.

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#6 Abdul Basith - 5/10

Kerala-born Abdul Basith is given the standardized rating of 5/10 solely because he played just one game, against RCB. Basith faced only one ball, off which he scored one run.

The 24-year-old youngster, who impressed in the Kerala Cricket Association’s (KCA) T20 tournament last year, will hope to get more opportunities in the marquee league in the future.