IPL 2024 Teams Preview: Strategies, captaincy updates, players' stats and more

5. Rajasthan Royals

After winning the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League in 2007, Rajasthan Royals were never in the reckoning to win another one until the 2022 edition, in which they lost to Gujarat Titans in the finals. In 2023, they were close to making it to the playoffs but unfortunately failed to do so, having finished fifth on the points table. What’s next for the Sanju Samson-led side? Well, they have done a decent job in the auction and once again have a strong squad, which can challenge for the title in 2024.

In the last year, Yashasvi Jaiswal has emerged as a force to reckon with, having scored a lot of runs in the shortest format. In 2023, the youngster made 625 runs in 14 matches and finished as the fifth-leading run-scorer of the tournament, and this year, with the T20 World Cup in mind, the cricketer would expect to go bigger. He will partner with England skipper Jos Buttler, who is one of the best whit-ball batters in world cricket right now. Sanju Samson is expected to bat at number three, with Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel and Rovman Powell completing the middle order.

When it comes to the bowling unit, they have traded in Avesh Khan, who can be a good option in the death overs. They also have Sandeep Sharma, Kuldeep Sen and Navdeep Saini in the mix, but all the focus will be on Trent Boult, who’s a runaway match-winner. However, it’s the spin-bowling unit that can once again help them challenge for the title. Yuzvendra Chahal would be gunning to make the most of the tournament and regain the faith of the Indian team management while Ravichandran Ashwin and Adam Zampa have all the qualities to wreak havoc. Overall, they have a very strong squad and if the middle order batters find their rhythm, Rajasthan will be an extremely tough team to beat.

Also Read: RR IPL History from 2008 to 2024