IPL 2022: 5 moves that paid off for Rajasthan Royals

2. Promoting R Ashwin up the order

Ravichandran Ashwin always had the batting potential to excel at the international stage but he could never live up to the expectations in the IPL. However, the Royals think-tank used him wisely, getting him to bat at No. 3 at times when an early wicket fell and he was used as a pinch hitter.

In the final league stage game against CSK, Ashwin was promoted to No. 5 and he repaid the faith with a match-winning knock of an unbeaten 40 off 23 to guide his team home. With the batting line-up looking slender for the Royals, Ashwin’s role in the side is huge as he has shown a lot of versatility by adapting to the needs of the format.

 3. Combination of six batters and five bowlers

Rajasthan Royals were always one batter short after going in with the five-bowler combination, but they were never worried about it. The franchise hardly went to Riyan Parag or Jaiswal for a few years, while Trent Boult had to play at No. 8 for the Royals this season.

They tried out the likes of Nathan Coulter-Nile, Daryl Mitchell and James Neesham but none of them had a significant impact, which meant that Rajasthan stuck with their combination of six batters and five bowlers. They are likely to bring in an all-rounder who can bat at No. 8 next season, while they will continue with the same combination for the final against Gujarat Titans.