'It is some great charity that they're doing' – Ambati Rayudu slams Rajasthan Royals' selection strategy in IPL 2025

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) have had a disappointing IPL 2025 (Indian Premier League) season so far, with just two wins and six losses in the eight games they have played. The inaugural champions' campaign has come to a potential end, as they will now have to win their remaining six games this season.

The retention and auction strategy employed by the Rajasthan Royals has led to many fans and experts questioning the decisions made by skipper Sanju Samson and head coach Rahul Dravid. The Royals have a number of young and inexperienced players in the squad who have not performed consistently this season. Six-time IPL winner Ambati Rayudu has also criticised the Royals' squad selection, accusing them of over-investing in youngsters and terming it more of a charitable gesture than a strategic effort to win the tournament this season.

“I've always had this question in my mind when it comes to RR - they've invested so much in youngsters over the years. What have they gotten out of it? It's been 17 years since they've won an IPL, and they always showcase this as if it's their strength. It is some great charity that they're doing for the game, but it is not. You're here to compete," Rayudu said on ESPNCricinfo's Timeout.

“You're here to win the IPL, and there are ways teams have adopted to win the IPL, and you don't follow any of those. You have your own path, and you justify it year after year. And you want people to come on board and appreciate you for the good team that you are by giving youngsters all over the world a good opportunity in the IPL," he further added.

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I don't think IPL is breeding ground for talent: Boucher 

Notably, Ambati Rayudu was not the only one who criticised the Rajasthan franchise. Besides him, the former South Africa legend and wicketkeeper-batter, Mark Boucher, claimed that the tournament is not meant to be a breeding ground for players, but rather for players who are already finished products.

“Yeah, I just, and this goes for any franchise. I don't think that the IPL is a breeding ground for talent. I think it's for a finished product. Yeah, I mean, you don't, no team will ever come into the IPL thinking, okay, well, we've got a team here that I think is gonna do well in the next three years. That's what you go to auction for," Boucher said.