Former India player Aakash Chopra has questioned the RR for the batting order they had in their IPL 2025 defeat to the KKR. He added that Shimron Hetmyer, the only overseas batter in their playing XI, came to bat at No. 8, where RR set KKR a 152-run target after being asked to bat first. KKR then achieved the target with ease.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “The batting order was a disorder. When you announced the XI while batting first, Shubham Dubey’s name was not there. Shubham Dubey is the player who scored 35 runs off 11 or 12 balls in the last match, and you couldn’t make a place for him. You sent Wanindu Hasaranga, and then he too got out.”

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“Then you sent Shubham Dubey before Shimron Hetmyer, and I am wondering if you have a grand total of one overseas batter, will you play him at No. 8? Is there any pure batter in world cricket who bats at No. 8 in a T20 match? It was absolutely beyond my understanding. So this batting order, I don’t know how to comment on it, but it did not make any sense whatsoever,” Chopra further added.

While talking about the Guwahati pitch was slightly spin-friendly, Aakash Chopra questioned the shot selection of some of the RR players
as well.

“The pitch was slightly helpful for the spinners for sure, but some shot selections were bad. You can start with Yashasvi, or you can see Sanju’s or Riyan Parag’s shots. Dhruv Jurel still played decently, but the situation of all the others was extremely bad. 150 – that’s it? Kolkata’s name has come in the top six with two points. How far will they go? We don’t know, but I don’t see RR going very far. One match after the other, more weaknesses and fewer strengths are being seen, and it’s not looking good for the Rajasthan Royals,” Aakash Chopra concluded.