Get Newsletter
Notification products, updates
×
×Notification products, updates
August 20, 2024
Rajasthan Royals (RR) is a professional cricket team based in Jaipur, Rajasthan, competing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Founded in 2008 as one of the original eight IPL franchises, the team is owned by Manoj Badale and The Royals Sports Group. They play their home matches at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur and ACA Stadium in Guwahati. The Royals are known for discovering emerging talent.
Despite being considered underdogs, the team won the inaugural IPL title in 2008 under Shane Warne’s captaincy. They were runners-up in the 2013 Champions League Twenty20 and again in the 2022 IPL, with Sanju Samson as captain and Kumar Sangakkara as team leader. In the 2024 IPL, they qualified for the playoffs but were defeated by Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2.
On July 14, 2015, the Supreme Court of India’s panel suspended the Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings for two years due to a betting scandal, preventing participation in the 2016 and 2017 IPL seasons. The team made a comeback in the 2018 season. Sanju Samson holds the record for runs 3,403, while Shane Watson is the leading wicket-taker with 67 wickets.
In September 2007, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the creation of the Indian Premier League (IPL), a Twenty20 cricket competition set to begin in 2008. The Rajasthan Royals were among the eight original teams in the inaugural IPL season. Emerging Media won the ownership bid for the Jaipur-based team with a $67 million offer, making it the least expensive franchise in the league at that time.
As of 2024, the Royals Sports Group owns the franchise, which holds a 65% stake through Emerging Media Sporting Holdings Limited. Key minority stakeholders include Lachlan Murdoch and RedBird Capital Partners. The team faced controversies regarding its ownership, including a brief suspension from the league in 2010. In 2009, the franchise reported a pre-tax profit of $7.5 million.
In 2010, the BCCI expelled Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals from the IPL, which surprised many, including Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne. Warne suspected foul play and questioned the BCCI’s motives. The Rajasthan Royals challenged the expulsion by filing an appeal in the Bombay High Court. The court initially postponed the case until October 29, 2010, later rescheduling it to November 15 to avoid overlapping with Diwali celebrations.
During this period, the Royals negotiated with an arbitrator, who ruled that the team could continue participating in the IPL for six weeks while the case was resolved. This six-week period included the player auction, where the Rajasthan Royals were involved. Eventually, the Bombay High Court upheld the Royals’ participation for the interim period. Due to the legal costs and reputational damage, the BCCI chose not to pursue further action against the Royals or Kings XI Punjab, allowing both teams to stay in the IPL.
In 2015, the Rajasthan Royals were banned from the IPL for two years following an investigation by the Lodha Committee. The team faced controversy for making improper and fictitious bids, which violated BCCI regulations. It was discovered that Ranjit Barthakur and Fraser Castellino were the sole shareholders of the team, a fact that had not been disclosed to the BCCI. This led to an out-of-court settlement. Additionally, Rajasthan Royals’ owner, Raj Kundra, was banned from cricket-related activities for life.
The Royals had a solid start to their season, winning their first four matches. Their winning streak was interrupted by a loss to the Titans on the last ball. They then secured a narrow victory over Punjab. They matched the highest-ever chase in IPL history by scoring 224 runs, thanks to an unbeaten 107 by Jos Buttler. The team continued their winning streak but faced losses after winning seven matches. Despite this, they qualified for the playoffs. In the eliminator round, they defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore to advance to Qualifier 2, where they lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad by 36 runs. Riyan Parag was the team’s top run-scorer with 573 runs, while Avesh Khan was the leading wicket-taker with 19 wickets.
In their 2023 season, the Rajasthan Royals began with a strong performance, securing a 72-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. A major highlight was the impressive form of young talent Yashasvi Jaiswal, named the ‘Emerging Player of the Season.’ Jaiswal scored 625 runs in 14 matches, averaging 48.07 and boasting a striking strike rate of 163.61.
On 30 November 2021, just before the 2022 IPL auction, the Rajasthan Royals retained their captain, Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler, and young player Yashasvi Jaiswal, releasing all other players from the previous season. The team performed well in the league stage, finishing second in the points table. However, they were defeated twice by the Gujarat Titans in quick succession—first in Qualifier 1 and then in the final—ending as runners-up. Jos Buttler was awarded the MVP and the Orange Cap for scoring 864 runs in 17 innings. At the same time, Yuzvendra Chahal received the Purple Cap for taking the most wickets of the season.
On 20 January 2021, just before the auction for the 2021 IPL, the Rajasthan Royals released eight players, including their captain Steve Smith. On the same day, they announced that Sanju Samson would be the new captain for the upcoming season.
Before the 2020 IPL Auction, the Rajasthan Royals retained 11 players and released 11. They traded Ajinkya Rahane, Krishnappa Gowtham, and Dhawal Kulkarni to Delhi Capitals, Kings XI Punjab, and Mumbai Indians, respectively. In return, they acquired Mayank Markande, Rahul Tewatia, and Ankit Rajpoot from Delhi Capitals and Kings XI Punjab.
Andrew McDonald replaced Paddy Upton as the Royals’ head coach for the 2020 season, and Steve Smith continued as captain. The Royals started the season strongly with two consecutive wins, but their form faltered as they suffered four straight losses. They finished at the bottom of the points table, winning six out of fourteen matches. Despite the team’s poor performance, Jofra Archer was named the season’s Most Valuable Player.
The Rajasthan Royals’ livery is characterized by a distinctive blend of royal blue and gold, reflecting the team’s regal identity. The primary color of their jersey is a deep blue, symbolizing elegance and strength. At the same time, gold accents highlight the team’s prestigious heritage. The team’s logo features a stylized crown and the initials “RR” in an ornate font, emphasizing their royal branding. This vibrant color scheme and regal design set the Rajasthan Royals apart, embodying their history and aspiration to dominate the IPL.
The Rajasthan Royals have notable rivalries within the Indian Premier League, most prominently with the Kings XI Punjab and the Delhi Capitals. The matches between the Royals and Kings XI Punjab are particularly intense, characterized by close contests and high-stakes games, adding a layer of excitement to the rivalry. Similarly, their games against the Delhi Capitals often feature fierce competition, driven by both teams’ competitive histories and strategic play. These rivalries enhance the drama and appeal of the IPL, making each encounter between these teams highly anticipated by fans and adding to the league’s vibrant atmosphere.
Rajasthan Royals Batters: Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Kunal Rathore, Donovan Ferreira, Rovman Powell, Shubham Dubey and Tom Kohler-Readmore
Rajasthan Royals All-Rounders: Ravichandran Ashwin, Tanush Kotian, and Abin Mushtaq
Rajasthan Royals Bowlers: Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Sen, Navdeep Saini, Keshav Maharaj, Sandeep Sharma, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal and Nandre Burger
As of August 2024, the Rajasthan Royals are performing well in the IPL 2024 season, currently holding a position in the top half of the standings. They have delivered solid performances and secured important victories, maintaining a competitive edge throughout the season. The team’s consistent form and strategic play favorably positioned them for a playoff spot. With key players contributing significantly and a solid overall team effort, the Royals are poised to make a strong push as the season progresses.
Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for IPLWin365 (IPL365 News), she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
Stay Tuned With Updates
