Rajasthan Royals started their tournament on a positive note, winning 7 of their first 8 matches. However, things changed drastically in their last three matches as losses became their fate, with evident consistency and lack of confidence.
Initially appearing as potential playoff qualifiers and even table-toppers, their fortunes shifted unexpectedly. Despite a team filled with stars, some shone brightly while others struggled. Jos Buttler notably carried the team in two crucial matches.
Yashasvi Jaiswal showed promise in a couple of games, but his season fluctuated between hot and cold. A key factor in Royals’ success was the middle-order contribution, particularly from Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag, who provided consistency and aggression.
The first half of IPL 2024 saw many things go their way. Trent Boult excelled in taking wickets, while Avesh Khan and Sandeep Sharma performed well in the death overs. Yuzvendra Chahal’s strategic bowling added to their success.
However, as performances waned, the team faced internal fragmentation. Bowlers became cautious, compromising their aggression to avoid conceding runs, resulting in a shift in their approach.
The match against Chennai highlighted the Royals’ mood, with a misreading of conditions leading to overly conservative batting strategies. This fear-based approach often delayed crucial runs, reflecting a recurring trait in the team’s history.
Despite low confidence, they managed to qualify for the playoffs. However, their position could change, potentially requiring a must-win situation depending on other match outcomes.
The Pressure is on Descending Side
The psychological pressure of shifting rankings affects their mindset, with gratitude for reaching fourth place overshadowed by the pressure of facing an eliminator instead of finishing on top.
Facing Hyderabad in the eliminator poses a challenge, given their unpredictable performance. Without Jos Buttler, who was their mainstay, Rajasthan Royals must rely on other players, notably skipper Sanju Samson, to finish games.
The looming question for the team is whether they have enough players capable of closing out matches under pressure.
The reason behind their losses in the last few matches has been their inability to start well with the bat and their failure to finish games. These two issues trouble Rajasthan as there is no consistency in their openers.
They are not providing a solid start in the powerplay. Additionally, when it comes to finishing the game in the last two or three overs, there is no set batter for Rajasthan, posing a significant challenge for the team.
On the other hand, Yuzvendra Chahal is expected to perform better as his performance has significantly dropped in the last few matches. He has been going at an economy rate of over 11 consistently.
The big question is how Avesh Khan will make a comeback, as he has been taken to the cleaners numerous times in the last few games, conceding over 25 runs on several occasions. Royals have many issues to address and fix.
